Service Procedure

1. Lift vehicle on a suitable hoist to a comfortable working level.

2. Using a plastic trim stick, remove the center caps from the front wheels.

3. Remove the lug nuts from the front wheel studs and remove both tire/wheel assemblies.

4. Remove the caliper slide pin bolts from the right side caliper.

5. Remove the caliper from the caliper bracket and suspend the caliper from the upper control arm using a rubber tie-down cord. Do not disconnect the hydraulic brake hose from the caliper or let the caliper hang by the brake hose.

6. Slide the brake rotor off the wheel hub and set aside.

7. Remove the four (4) fender retaining nuts located on the steering knuckle and carefully remove the right side fender assembly.

CAUTION:
Use extreme care when removing the fender to avoid scratching any of the painted surfaces. Store the fender in a safe place to avoid accidental damage.

8. Remove and discard the tie rod end nut





9. Install special tool 3894A as shown in Figure 1. Tighten the tool to disconnect the tie rod from the steering knuckle.

10. Remove the upper and lower ball joint nuts. Discard the upper ball joint nut and save the lower ball joint nut.





11. Loosely install the special tool nuts onto the ball joint studs (Figure 2).

NOTE:
Special tool nut 6998-1 fits the lower ball joint stud and 6998-2 fits the upper ball joint stud.





12. Install special tool 6998 as shown in Figure 3.

13. Carefully tighten the tool until both ball joints disengage from the steering knuckle.

14. Remove the special tool 6998 and special tool nuts 6998-1 and 6998-2.

15. Remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle.





16. Install the ball joint press (C-4212) onto the lower ball joint as shown in Figure 4.

17. Tighten the ball joint press until the tool bottoms against the lower control arm.

NOTE:
The ball joint will not be fully removed from the lower control arm at this time.

18. Remove the ball joint press.





19. Install the original lower ball joint nut onto the ball joint stud so that the threads of the stud are halfway through the nut (Figure 5)

20. Reinstall the ball joint press without any adapters and tighten the press to complete the removal of the ball joint from the lower control arm (Figure 5).

21. Discard the old ball joint and nut.

22. With the plastic ball joint boot protective sleeve in place, install the new ball joint into the lower control arm.





23. Install the ball joint press as shown in Figure 6.

24. Carefully tighten the press until the new ball joint is seated completely into the lower control arm and then remove the press.





25. Place the steering knuckle into position and install the new upper ball joint nut (Figure 7).

26. Install the provided lower ball joint flat washer and nut onto the ball joint stud (Figure 7).

27. Tighten the upper ball joint nut to 65 ft.lbs. (88 N.m). Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 70 ft.lbs. (95 N.m).

28. Install the tie rod end onto the steering knuckle and install a new retaining nut. Tighten the nut to 38 ft.lbs. (52 N.m).

29. Install the fender onto the steering knuckle and tighten the fasteners to 30 ft.lbs. (40 N.m).

30. Slide the rotor onto the wheel hub.

31. Install the brake caliper assembly. Tighten the caliper slide bolts to 20 ft.lbs. (27 N.m).

32. Repeat Steps 4 through 31 to replace the ball joint on the left side of the vehicle.

33. Install both front tire/wheel assemblies. Tighten the lug nuts to 100 ft.lbs. (135 Nm).

34. Install the center cap on each wheel.

35. Lower the vehicle from the hoist.