- 1). Lift your automobile with a jack and secure it on jack stands. Unbolt the wheel bolts with a wheel spanner and remove the wheel to access the ball joint assembly.
- 2). Connect the new upper ball joint to the control arm. The control arm attaches the wheels to an automobile's frame, suspension and steering. Position the upper ball joint onto the upper control arm. You may need to use a hammer or a ball joint press to hit or press the ball joint into the control arm housing. Purchase or rent a ball joint press from an auto parts store. Screw the ball joint into the control arm as far as possible using your hand. Ensure the ball joint threads engage with the control arm correctly. Torque the ball joint with a torque wrench until it bottoms on the housing to factory specifications. Factory specifications can be found in your automobile's service manual.
- 3). Install the upper ball joint retaining bolts/rivets. Thread the retaining ball joint bolts from under the control arm with your hand. Tighten the bolts with a socket and socket wrench to hold them firmly in place. You may drill in upper ball joint retaining rivets with a drill bit. Service manuals give instruction and appropriate drill bit sizes for drilling in ball joint rivets without damaging your vehicle's control arm. Refer to your vehicle's service manual for the recommended drill bit size.
- 4). Connect the upper ball joint stud to steering knuckle. The steering knuckle is the stub axle that acts as a connection point between the wheel and tie rod, designed to allow the wheels to pivot. Position the upper ball joint stud to fit in the steering knuckle. Install the retaining stud nut and fasten the nut on the steering knuckle with a torque wrench.
- 5). Replace the wheel and tire assembly and lower the jack. Remove jack stand and finish riveting your upper ball joint.
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