Assembly; Assembly - Lower Control Arm (Ball Joint) - Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual

2 - 16 FRONT SUSPENSION
LOWER CONTROL ARM (Continued)
(2) Place the lower control arm outer flange
against the Receiver as shown (Fig. 28). Tighten the
screw-drive until the Driver contacts the outer cir-
cumference of the bushing evenly (Fig. 28). Continue
to tighten the screw-drive until the bushing is
pressed completely out of the lower control arm.
Fig. 28 Removing Bushing
1 - CONTROL ARM ISOLATOR BUSHING
2 - FLANGE
(3) Back off the screw-drive and remove the lower
control arm and isolator bushing from the Receiver.
(4) Remove the driver 8373-2 and receiver 8373-1
from the ball joint press C-4212F.

ASSEMBLY

ASSEMBLY - LOWER CONTROL ARM (BALL
JOINT)
CAUTION: When installing a ball joint in its mount-
ing hole in the lower control arm, position the ball
joint so the notch in the ball joint stud is facing the
lower control arm front isolator bushing (Fig. 29).
This will ease assembly of the ball joint to the
steering knuckle when the installation of the pinch
bolt is attempted.
(1) By hand, position ball joint into it's bore on the
lower control arm (Fig. 29). To avoid binding upon
installation, be sure the ball joint is not cocked in the
bore.
(2) Position the Installer, Special Tool 6758, on a
hydraulic press to support the lower control arm
(Fig. 30). Place the control arm on top of Tool 6758 in
the upside-down position, aligning the ball joint stud
squarely with the Installer's cup.
(3) Place the larger end of the Adapter, Special
Tool 6804, on top of the ball joint as shown (Fig. 30).
Fig. 29 Ball Joint Alignment
1 - BALL JOINT STUD
2 - NOTCH
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - FRONT ISOLATOR BUSHING
Fig. 30 Ball Joint Installation
1 - PRESS
2 - BALL JOINT
(4) Using the hydraulic press, press the ball joint
into the lower control arm until the shoulder on the
ball joint bottoms against the lower control arm ball
joint bore. Do not apply excessive pressure against
ball joint and lower control arm once the ball joint
bottoms.
(5) Remove the tools and arm from the hydraulic
press.
CAUTION: When installing the sealing boot on the
ball joint, position the upward lip on the outside
perimeter of the seal boot outward, away from the
control arm once installed (Fig. 31). It is there to
help shield heat from the sealing boot.
PT