To replace the upper balljoint, first loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands while applying the parking brake, then remove the wheel. Support the lower
Control Arm with a floor jack placed under the lower balljoint. Remove the cotter pin from the balljoint stud and back off the nut two turns before separating the balljoint from the
Steering Knuckle, using a special tool or a fabricated equivalent from a large bolt, nut, washer, and socket. Countersink the center of the bolt head to prevent slipping, then install the tool, hold the bolt head with a wrench, and tighten the nut against the washer until the balljoint pops out, ensuring the nut isn't completely removed. Drill a 1/4-inch deep hole in the center of each rivet head with a 1/8-inch drill bit, then use a 1/2-inch bit to cut off the rivet heads, being careful not to enlarge the holes in the control arm. Use a punch to knock the rivet shanks out and remove the balljoint from the control arm. Position the new balljoint on the control arm and install the supplied bolts and nuts, tightening them to the specified torque. Insert the balljoint stud into the steering knuckle, install the nut, and tighten it to the specified torque. Install a new cotter pin, adjusting the nut slightly if necessary to align the slot with the hole in the balljoint stud, then install the balljoint grease fitting and fill the joint with grease. Finally, install the wheel and tighten the lug nuts to the specified torque, and drive the vehicle to an alignment shop for a front end alignment check and adjustment if needed. For the lower balljoint, which is a press fit in the lower control arm, special tools are required for removal and replacement; thus, the lower control arm should be taken to an automotive machine shop to have the old balljoint pressed out and the new one pressed in.