Balljoints — check and replacement
1. Inspect the control arm ball joints for looseness whenever either of them is separated from the steering knuckle. See if you can turn the ball stud in its socket with your fingers. If the ball joint is loose, or if the ball stud can be turned, replace the ball joint. You can also check the ball joints with the suspension assembled as follows.
Note: The ball joint removal/installation tool can be rented at most parts stores. If you don’t have access to the necessary equipment, you can remove the control arm and take it to an automotive machine shop to have the ball joint replaced.
Upper ball joints Check
2. Raise the front of the vehicle and sup- port it securely on jack stands placed under the frame rails. Place a floor jack under the lower control arm and raise it slightly.
3. Attach a dial indicator to the upper sus- pension arm, with the plunger of the indicator touching the steering knuckle, in line with the axle.
4. Carefully pry between the two com- ponents while observing movement from the dial indicator. There should be no more than 0.079-inch deflection. If the indicated reading exceeds this figure, replace the upper arm.
Replacement
5. For upper ball joint replacement, see Upper control arm — removal and installation. The upper ball joint is not available separately (the entire upper control arm must be replaced).
Lower ball joints Check
6. Raise the front of the vehicle and sup- port it securely on jack stands placed under the frame rails. Place a floor jack under the lower control arm and raise it slightly.
7. Attach a dial indicator to the lower control arm and position the indicator plunger against the steering knuckle, in line with the axle.
8. Carefully pry between the two components while observing movement from the dial indicator. There should be no more than 0.079-inch deflection. If the indicated reading exceeds this figure, replace the ball joint.
Replacement — off vehicle
9. Remove the lower control arm (see Lower control arm — removal and installation).
10. Use a hammer and punch to knock the peened tabs inward before pressing the ball joint out.
11. Using the ball joint removal tool, press the old ball joint out of the control arm. Then, press the new ball joint into the control arm. Make sure the press adapter only applies force to the flange of the ball joint. Once pressed in fully, use a hammer and punch to crimp or stake the ball joint in place.
12. The remainder of the installation is the reverse of removal.
13. Have the front-end alignment checked and, if necessary, adjusted.
Replacement — on vehicle
14. On 4WD drive models, remove the drive axle from the steering knuckle (see Driveline).
Warning: If you use a pickle fork type ball joint separator, removal of the drive axle is not necessary. However, the lower control arm on models with torsion bar front suspension MUST be supported with a floor jack.
15. Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
Note: If you don’t have the proper ball joint removal tool, a hammer and a drift can sometimes be used to break the ball stud loose from the knuckle. A pickle fork-type ball joint separator can also be used, but keep in mind that this type of tool will probably damage the ball joint boot.
16. Lower the lower control enough to allow for the ball joint removal tool to properly fit in the correct spot.
17. Use a hammer and punch to knock the peened tabs inward before pressing the ball joint out.
18. Once the ball joint removal tool is in the proper position, follow the procedure for the use of the removal tool.
19. Using the ball joint removal tool, press the old ball joint out of the control arm. Then press the new ball joint into the control arm. Make sure the press adapter only applies force to the flange of the ball joint. Once pressed in fully, use a hammer and punch to crimp or stake the ball joint in place.
20. The remainder of the installation is the reverse of removal.
21. Have the front-end alignment checked and, if necessary, adjusted.