GM 19416896
Lower Ball Joint, Front

Service and repair of the lower Ball Joint requires using two specific tools: Ball Joint remover/installer set (J9519-E) plus Ball Joint separator (J23742). First put the vehicle on stands and then lift it to suitable height. Take off the wheel while sitting the floor jack beneath the lower Control Arm to hold its position and shield staff from harm. Set the floor jack beneath the lower Control Arm and lift it to stabilise the Control Arm. Use a wire to suspend the brake caliper before taking out the front braking unit. You need to unlock both lower Ball Joint parts before using the j23742 Ball Joint separator to free the joint from its spot on the Steering Knuckle. Use a screwdriver to move the lower Control Arm out of the splash shield as you lift the upper Control Arm with a pry bar and place a wooden block between the frame and upper Control Arm to block the knuckle assembly. Put the lower Ball Joint remover/installer set j9519-30 to work when disconnecting the lower Ball Joint from the lower Control Arm. Check the tapered opening in the Steering Knuckle for damage and debris before deciding to replace the part if needed. Press a new Ball Joint into the lower Control Arm until it reaches the lower part using j9519-30 set butts. Take out the wooden blocking tool from the knuckle assembly area. Put the Ball Joint stud into the Steering Knuckle followed by the nut and tighten it to 94 ft. Lbs. At 128 nm while lining up the slot with the hole. Push a new cotter pin through the nut slots to the Ball Joint hole before curving it to stop the nut from sliding loose. Place the grease fitting on the Ball Joint and lubricate it. After this put back the front brake caliper and tire wheel unit. Take the safety stands out and release the vehicle to test the front wheel alignment.

Before servicing or repairing the lower Ball Joint, first, raise and properly support the vehicle. The third step is to remove the tire and wheel fixing and the front coil spring afterwards. After that, get rid of the lower Control Arm and hold it firmly in a bench vice or similar equipment. Hammer the center of each rivet and remove them by drilling them out. When installing, place the Ball Joint on the lower Control Arm and put in the replacement bolts as per the fastener instructions. Screw the nuts down to 70 nm (52 ft. Lbs.) and after that, unfasten the lower Control Arm from the vice and set it back in place. Then, you need to install the spring and the tire and wheel unit. In the end, take off the safety stands, lower the vehicle and check the wheel alignment based on the specifications for the model.

Remove the brake caliper, then the nut and bolt retaining the wheel speed sensor harness bracket to the upper control arm.

To keep the knuckle assembly out of the way.

Remove the brake caliper and the nut and bolt that retain the wheel speed sensor harness bracket and brake hose to the upper control arm.

Remove the cotter pin and nut from the lower control arm ball joint, then use the J 39549 (Ball Joint Tie Rod End Separator) to break the ball joint loose from the knuckle.

Remove the brake hose and the bracket (upper control arm only), followed by the wheel speed sensor.

The tire and wheel assembly, followed by the upper control arm.

Remove the tire and wheel assembly, then support the brake caliper with a piece of wire to avoid damaging the brake line.

Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle and tighten the nut to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).

Install a new cotter pin to the stud, then reinstall the brake caliper.

Reattach the front brake caliper, install the tire and wheel, check the running clearance at all suspension components, remove the safety stands, lower the vehicle, and finally check the front wheel alignment.

Attach the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle and tighten the retaining nut to 100 Nm (74 ft. lbs.).

Remove the cotter pin and retaining nut from the ball joint stud, then use the Ball Joint Separator (J 23742) to separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.

Remove the front brake caliper, cotter pin, and nut from the lower ball joint.