Ball Joint: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. REMOVE FRONT WHEEL
Torque: 110 Nm (1,150 kgf-cm, 83 ft. lbs.)
2. SUPPORT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM WITH JACK
3. DISCONNECT TIE ROD END





a. Loosen the 2 lower ball joint set bolts.
Torque: 160 Nm (1,600 kgf-cm, 116 ft. lbs.)

HINT: Do not remove the bolts.





b. Remove the cotter pin and nut.
Torque: 72 Nm (730 kgf-cm, 53 ft. lbs.)

HINT: At the time of installation, if the holes for the cotter pin are not aligned, tighten the nut further up to 60°.

c. Using SST, disconnect the tie rod end.
SST 09610-20012
4. REMOVE LOWER BALL JOINT
a. Remove the cotter pin and loosen the nut.
Torque: 110 Nm (1,100 kgf-cm, 80 ft. lbs.)

HINT: At the time of installation, if the holes for the cotter pin are not aligned, tighten the nut further up to 60°.





b. Using SST, disconnect the lower ball joint.
SST 09628-062011
c. Remove the nut, 2 bolts and lower ball joint.

INSPECTION
INSPECT LOWER BALL JOINT FOR ROTATION CONDITION





a. As shown in the illustration, flip the ball joint stud back and forth 5 times before installing the nut.
b. Using a torque wrench, turn the nut continuously 1 turn each 2 - 4 seconds and take the torque reading on the 5th turn.
Turning torque: 0.1 - 3.45 Nm (1 - 35 kgf-cm, 0.8 - 30 inch lbs.)

INSTALLATION
Installation is in the reverse order of removal.