Note: Ball joint dust cap can be replaced separately (removing retaining ring), after separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle (see below). Note, however, that if the dust cap is damaged, it is recommended that the ball joint be replaced.
Removing
1. Jack up the front of the vehicle, place it on axle stands, then remove the wheel.
2. If the ball joint will be used further, mark its location relative to the tie rod with a ruler edge and a marking tool.
3. While holding the ball joint, loosen the locknut a quarter of a turn.
4. Remove the cotter pin, and unscrew the nut that secures the ball joint to the swing arm, leaving it on the thread. Using a universal puller, separate the ball joint from the swing arm (see photo).
5. Counting the number of revolutions, unscrew the ball joint from the tie rod. If it is necessary to remove the lock nut, mark its position on the tie rod and count the number of turns until it is completely removed so that it can be screwed back exactly into place when reassembling.
6. Carefully clean the ball joint and threads. Replace the ball joint if it moves too hard or is loose or damaged: carefully check the strut taper and threads. No grease leakage should be visible, the dust cap can be replaced separately (see note at the beginning of this Chapters). Replace the fixing nut cotter pin.
Installation
7. Screw the ball joint into the tie rod by the number of revolutions calculated during removal. The ball joint should stop a quarter of a turn from the locknut, and the marks made before removing the marks should line up.
8. Lubricate the cones of the ball joint shaft and the swing arm, then insert the ball joint into the swing arm, and tighten the nut with the tightening torque specified specifications. Install a new cotter pin, and straighten its ends; the nut can be loosened slightly to align the nearest slots in the nut with the cotter pin hole in the strut.
9. If the vehicle needs to be driven to check the wheel alignment, securely tighten the ball joint locknuts; otherwise, follow Chapter 21.
10. Where applicable, install the wheel and lower the vehicle to the ground.