Contents: Inner hinge ↡ Outer hinge ↡
Note: A new ball joint nut will be required for installation.
Inner hinge
Removal
1. Apply the parking brake and place chocks under the rear wheels. Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and support it (see Fig. "Lifting the car and placing it on supports").
2. Clean the inner end of the tie rod and loosen the ball joint clamp bolt. Make a mark on the tie rod and measure the distance from the mark to the center of the ball joint. Record this measurement as you will need it to ensure wheel alignment when installing the joint.
3. Loosen and remove the pivot nut and disconnect the intermediate lever/pitman arm pivot (depending on what is required). If necessary, separate the conical joint pin using a universal puller.
4. Count the exact number of turns required to loosen the ball joint from the tie rod end.
5. Clean the ball joint and threads thoroughly. Replace the ball joint if it is sticking, worn or damaged. Carefully check the condition of the pin cone surface and threads.
Installation
6. Screw the ball joint onto the steering rod the number of turns required for removal. This should ensure that the joint is positioned at the appropriate distance from the mark that was made before removal.
7. Install the ball joint pin onto the idler arm/pitman arm, then install the new mounting nut and tighten it to the specified torque.
8. Tighten the ball joint clamp bolt to the required torque and lower the vehicle to the ground.
9. Check and, if necessary, adjust the front wheel alignment as described in paragraph 31.
Outer hinge
Removal
10. Apply the parking brake and place chocks under the rear wheels. Raise the front of the vehicle with a jack and place it on supports (see "Lifting the car and placing it on supports"). Remove the corresponding wheel.
11. Clean the tie rod ends and loosen the lock nut and ball joint clamp sleeve. Make a mark on the tie rod and measure the distance from the mark to the center of the ball joint. Record this measurement as it will be needed to ensure wheel alignment when installing the joint.
12. Loosen and remove the ball joint nut and disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. If necessary, separate the ball joint pin using a universal puller (see fig. 29.12).
Fig. 29.12. Using a ball joint puller, disconnect the steering rod from the steering knuckle
13. Count the exact number of turns required to loosen the ball joint from the tie rod end.
14. Thoroughly clean the ball joint and threads. Replace the ball joint if it is sticking, worn or damaged. Carefully check the condition of the pin cone surface and threads.
Installation
15. If necessary, transfer the lock nut to the new tie rod ball joint.
16. Screw the ball joint onto the steering rod to the same number of turns as when removed. This should ensure that the joint is positioned at the appropriate distance from the mark that was made before removal.
17. Install the ball joint pin onto the steering knuckle, then install the new mounting nut and tighten it to the required torque (see fig. 29.17).
Fig. 29.17. When installing, screw on a new fastening nut and tighten it to the required torque
18. Install the wheel and lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the wheel bolts to the required torque.
19. Check and, if necessary, adjust the front wheel alignment as described in paragraph 31. After this, tighten the clamping ring to the required specification torque and tighten the lock nut securely.