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FRONT SUSPENSION
3C-9
unnecessary ball joint replacement.
The lower ball joints are inspected for wear by visual
observation alone. Wear is indicated by the protrusion of the
1/2" diameter nipple into which the grease fitting is threaded.
This round nipped projects .050M beyond the surface of the
ball joint cover on a new, unworn joint. Normal wear will
result in the surface of this nipple retreating very slowly
inward.
To inspect, raise vehicle on a hoist. Vehicle must be
supported on wheels or frame so that lower ball joint is in
a loaded condition.
To inspect for wear, wipe the grease fitting and nipple
free of dirt and grease as for a grease job. Observe or scrape
a screwdriver scale or fingernail across the cover. If the round
nipple is flush or inside the cover surface, replace the ball
joint. See Figure 3C- 1 1.
If the lower ball joint wear indicator shows that the
lower joint should be replaced, it may be advisable to also
replace the upper joints, unless there is obvious reason for
early replacement of the lower joints, such as tom seal or
damage.
Ball stud tightness in knuckle boss can be checked by
shaking wheel and observe or feel for movement of stud end
and/or nut at knuckle boss, or by removing cotter pin to
check torque. Looseness can mean a bent stud or an "open
up" hole in knuckle. Defective parts must be replaced.
Installation
CAUTION:
See
CAUTION
on page I of this
section regarding the fasteners referred to in steps
5 and 6.
1. Position ball joint in the lower control arm and install
Tools J-9519-10 and J-9519-9 as shown in Fig. 3C-12.
NOTE: Position bleed vent in rubber boot of the new
ball joint facing inward.
2. Turn down on hex head bolt until the new ball joint
is seated in the control arm and then remove the tools.
3. Turn the ball stud cotter pin hole fore and aft.
4. Remove the block of wood holding the upper control
arm up out of the way.
NOTE: Inspect the tapered hole in the steering knuckle.
Remove any dirt and if any out-of-roundness,
deformation, or damage is noted, the knuckle MUST be
replaced.
5. Mate the ball stud to the steering knuckle and install
the stud nut. Torque the nut and install a new cotter pin.
NOTE: Never back off nut to align the cotter pin, always
tighten nut to next slot that lines up with hole in stud.
6. Install a lube fitting and lube the joint.
7. Install wheel and tire and tie rod end oif removed ot
steering knuckle, and lower vheicle to floor.
STEERING KNUCKLE
It is recommended that the vehicle be raised and
supported on a twin-post hoist so that the front coil spring
remains compressed, yet the wheel and steering knuckle
assmelby remain accessible. If a frame hoist is used, support
the lower control arm with an adjustable jack stand to retain
spring in the curb height position.
Removal
1. Raise vehicle on a hoist and support the lower control
arm.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the brake caliper and brake disc or brake
drum.
4. Remove the backing plate or splash shield.
CAUTION: Hang the brake backing plate or
caliper assembly from the some part of the
sus&nsion assembly Do not allow the unit to hang
F R W T SUSPENSION BALL
JOlXT WEAR INDICATOR
PRESSURE RING
I S REOUtRED.
Fig.
3C-1
1 Wear Indicating Ball Joint
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