gasket is also used between the ball joint and the
rear knuckle (Fig. 11).
OPERATION
The ball joint is a pivotal joint on the rear suspen-
sion that allows the knuckle to move and turn with
ease.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - LOWER BALL
JOINT (REAR)
All suspension ball joints used on this vehicle oper-
ate with no free play. Ball joint replacement is nec-
essary if more than 0.51 mm (0.02 in.) axial end play
of the ball joint stud exists. Refer to the following
procedure to inspect the lower ball joint for wear.
WEAR INSPECTION PROCEDURE
CAUTION: When raising the vehicle by the lower
control arm using a floor jack, care must be used
so control arm does not get nicked, gouged,
deformed or damaged in any way by the floor jack.
(1) Position a floor jack under the outer end of
rear lower control arm. Carefully raise the vehicle so
the rear wheel and tire assembly is just lightly con-
tacting the floor (vehicle weight relieved from the
tire).
(2) Have a helper grasp the tire at the top and
apply an inward and outward force against the top of
the tire. While the force is being applied against the
tire, look for any movement between the lower ball
joint/knuckle and the lower control arm.
(3) If any lateral movement is evident at the
lower ball joint/knuckle, the ball joint will need to be
replaced.
LOWER BALL JOINT SEAL
BOOT
REMOVAL
NOTE: Review all Warnings and Cautions. (Refer to
2 - SUSPENSION - WARNING).
(1) Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(2) Remove wheel and tire assembly. (Refer to 22 -
TIRES/WHEELS - REMOVAL)
(3) Remove nut and bolt mounting shock assembly
clevis bracket to isolator bushing on lower control
arm.
CAUTION: The nut must be positioned at the end of
the stabilizer bar link stud when removing the link
from the lower control arm. This will prevent the
end of the stud from being damaged when remov-
ing it from the lower control arm.
(4) Remove stabilizer bar link from lower control
arm as follows (Fig. 15):
(a) Loosen, but do not remove, nut attaching
rear stabilizer bar link to lower control arm.
Thread nut to end of stabilizer bar link stud.
(b) Position center punch in dimple on end of
link stud.
(c) Strike center punch with hammer to remove
link stud from lower control arm.
(5) Remove cotter pin and castle nut from lower
ball joint stud (Fig. 3).
CAUTION: Do not strike or apply heat to steering
knuckle in an effort to separate ball joint studs from
knuckle.
NOTE: Use of Spacer, Special Tool 6983, is neces-
sary to allow proper use of Puller, Special Tool
C-4150A, to release lower ball joint from lower con-
trol arm.
(6) Insert Spacer, Special Tool 6983, between lower
ball joint grease seal boot and lower control arm.
Push Spacer in until it surrounds ball joint stud. Use
care not to damage grease seal boot.
CAUTION: When releasing ball joint using Puller,
Special Tool C-4150A, use care not to pinch and
damage ball joint grease seal boot.
(7) Install Puller, Special Tool C-4150A, over
Spacer and lower control arm as shown (Fig. 6). Ball
bearing in bolt of Special Tool C-4150A must be
centered in end of lower ball joint stud.
(8) Release lower ball joint from lower control arm
using Puller. Remove tools. Lift ball joint stud from
lower control arm.
(9) Using screw driver or other suitable tool, pry
seal boot off ball joint stud (Fig. 12).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install NEW ball joint seal boot on ball joint
stud. Install seal boot as far as possible on ball joint
assembly.
(2) Position Installer, Special Tool 6761, over seal-
ing boot aligning it properly with bottom edge of
sealing boot (Fig. 13). Apply pressure by hand until
seal boot is pressed squarely against lower control
arm.
2 - 36 REAR SUSPENSION ZB
LOWER BALL JOINT (Continued)
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