6-24. LOWER BALL JOINT MAINTENANCE
This task covers:
a. Inspection
c.
Installation
b. Removal
INITIAL SETUP:
Tools
General mechanic’s tool kit:
automotive (Appendix B, Item 1)
Maintenance and repair shop equipment:
automotive (Appendix B, Item 2)
Puller, mechanical (Appendix B, Item 157)
Special Tools
Socket adapter (Appendix B, Item 135)
Crowfoot, 15/16 in. (Appendix B, Item 140)
Materials/Parts
Cotter pin (Appendix G, Item 34)
Four locknuts (Appendix G, Item 116)
Personnel Required
One mechanic
One assistant
Manual References
TM 9-2320-387-10
TM 9-2320-387-24P
Maintenance Level
Unit
1.
Chock rear wheels.
2.
Raise and support front wheels 2 in. (5.1 cm) off ground.
3.
Mark a line across top screw (11) of steering arm cover (10). Mark should be parallel with lower
control arm (9).
4.
Set a 6-in. (15-cm) ruler upright between lower control arm (9) and marked screw (11).
5.
Install prybar between lower control arm (9) and geared hub (5). Push down on prybar and try to
move geared hub (5).
6.
Measure any movement in geared hub (5). Replace lower ball joint (3) if any movement is more
than 3/8 in. (10 mm) or more.
1.
Remove wheel (para 8-3).
1.1. Raise and support lower control arm (9).
2.
Remove cotter pin (7) and slotted nut (6) from ball joint (3) and geared hub (5). Discard cotter pin (7).
NOTE
Note direction of inner and outer capscrews for installation.
3.
Remove four locknuts (2), washers (1), capscrews (8), and washers (1) from ball joint (3) and control
arm (9). Discard locknuts (2).
4.
Using puller, remove ball joint (3) with boot retainer (4) from geared hub (5).
NOTE
Ensure outer capscrews are installed from top down and inner
capscrews are installed from bottom up.
1.
Install ball joint (3) with boot retainer (4) on control arm (9), ensuring ball joint (3) is placed below
control arm (9), with four washers (1), capscrews (8), washers (1), and locknuts (2). Tighten
locknuts (2) to 60-65 lb-ft (81-88 N•m).
c. Installation
b. Removal
a. Inspection
TM 9-2320-387-24-1
6-54
Change 1
