05-03-97 Page 15

ix.    Remove the upper ball joint cotter pin.

x.    Remove the upper ball joint nut.

xi.    Use a hammer and chisel to drive the original ball joint sleeve from the axle tube yoke.

CAUTION:    TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO THE AXLE TUBE YOKE OR BALL JOINT, PLACE THE CHISEL ON THE UPPER LIP OF THE SLEEVE ONLY DURING REMOVAL.

WARNING:    ALWAYS WEAR APPROPRIATE EYE PROTECTION WHEN PERFORMING THE BALL JOINT SLEEVE REMOVAL PROCEDURE.

xii.    Choose the appropriate offset upper ball joint sleeve based upon the camber and caster values recorded in step vi.

xiii.    After positioning the sleeve into the axle tube yoke, install the ball joint nut and tighten the upper ball joint nut to 95 Nm (70 ft. lbs.) of torque. Then, advance the nut to the next slot to line up with the hole in the ball joint stud. Install the cotter pin.

xiv.    Verify that the ball joint does not bind during a turn. Remove the steering linkage from the steering knuckle arms. Using a spring scale at the steering knuckle arm tie rod attachment hole, check the amount of force required to turn the steering knuckle. Ball joints are considered binding if the force required to turn the steering knuckle exceeds 36 pounds. If the force is below 36 pounds, proceed to step xxviii. If ball joint binding is noticed, the upper and lower ball joints will have to be aligned properly. Remove the caliper assembly and the ABS Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) (if equipped).

xv.   Remove the hub and rotor assembly.

xvi.    Remove the axle shaft.

CAUTION:    CAREFULLY REMOVE THE AXLE SHAFT. DAMAGE TO THE AXLE SHAFT SEAL COULD RESULT IF THE SPLINES ARE ALLOWED TO TOUCH THE SEAL.

xvii.    Remove the upper ball joint nut.

xviii.    Remove the lower ball joint nut.

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