Ball Joint - Upper

Replace the upper ball joint on the front suspension by separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle and removing it from the upper control arm.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Upper ball joint × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cotter pin for ball joint nut × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake.
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground.
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at manufacturer-approved jacking point.
4. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed under the frame rails.
5. Remove front wheel completely.

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the lower control arm
   Position a floor jack under the lower control arm near the ball joint to support the suspension weight and maintain control during disassembly. Raise jack just enough to slightly compress the suspension and relieve tension on the upper ball joint.
2. 2

   Remove upper ball joint cotter pin and nut
   Locate the upper ball joint where it connects to the top of the steering knuckle. Use pliers or diagonal cutters to remove and discard the cotter pin from the castle nut. Using the correct size socket (verify size against the factory service manual), remove the castle nut from the upper ball joint stud. Keep track of any washers present.
3. 3

   Separate ball joint from steering knuckle
   Using a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork, separate the upper ball joint stud from the steering knuckle. Position the separator tool between the knuckle boss and the control arm, then apply force to break the taper fit. Once separated, the steering knuckle will drop down, supported by the lower control arm and jack.
   ⚠A pickle fork will damage the ball joint boot and should only be used if the ball joint is being replaced.
4. 4

   Access the upper ball joint mounting
   With the ball joint stud separated from the knuckle, you now have access to the upper ball joint where it presses into the upper control arm. Inspect the control arm bore for damage or excessive wear. Clean any rust or debris from around the ball joint with a wire brush.
5. 5

   Press out the old upper ball joint
   Using a ball joint press kit with appropriate adapters, position the receiving cup on the underside of the control arm to support it, and the pressing adapter on top of the ball joint. Apply steady pressure with the press to force the old ball joint out of the control arm bore. If using a shop press, the control arm must be removed from the vehicle first by disconnecting the control arm mounting bolts.
   ⚠Ensure press adapters are correctly sized and aligned to prevent damage to the control arm bore.
6. 6

   Clean the control arm bore
   Thoroughly clean the ball joint bore in the upper control arm using a wire brush. Remove all rust, debris, and old grease. Inspect the bore for cracks, deformation, or excessive wear. The bore must be clean and undamaged for proper seating of the new ball joint.
7. 7

   Install new upper ball joint
   Position the new upper ball joint into the control arm bore, ensuring correct orientation with the stud pointing downward. Using the ball joint press with appropriate adapters, press the new ball joint into the control arm bore until it is fully seated. The ball joint should be flush or slightly below the control arm surface per the manufacturer specifications.
   ⚠Apply pressure only to the ball joint housing outer edge, never on the stud or dust boot.
8. 8

   Reconnect ball joint to steering knuckle
   Raise the upper control arm and align the ball joint stud with the hole in the top of the steering knuckle. You may need to use a pry bar or adjust the floor jack under the lower control arm to align the components. Insert the ball joint stud through the knuckle.
9. 9

   Install and torque ball joint nut
   Install the castle nut onto the upper ball joint stud. Torque the nut to specification. If the cotter pin holes do not align, tighten the nut further (never loosen) until the next castle slot aligns with the hole in the stud. Install a new cotter pin and bend the ends to secure.
   ⚠Never loosen the castle nut to align the cotter pin hole. Only tighten to the next castle slot.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Remove support jack and reinstall wheel
    Carefully lower and remove the floor jack from under the lower control arm. Reinstall the wheel onto the hub, threading the lug nuts by hand initially. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Lower vehicle from jack stands completely so full vehicle weight is on the suspension.
2. Perform a final torque check on wheel lug nuts after lowering.
3. If the upper control arm was removed from the vehicle for bench pressing, schedule a four-wheel alignment as the suspension geometry has been disturbed.

Verification

• With vehicle on the ground, grasp the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock positions and attempt to rock it. There should be no play indicating a loose ball joint.
• Visually inspect that the cotter pin is properly installed and bent to prevent backing out.
• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify normal steering response and no abnormal noises from the front suspension.
• Have front end alignment checked if upper control arm bolts were loosened or removed during the procedure.

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