Toyota 43330-09670
Lower Ball Joint

The process to remove the LH front lower ball joint assembly begins with vehicle front lifting and lower suspension movement inspection using wood and a cloth to protect the bolt and nuts. The installation order starts with removing both front wheel and the LH front axle shaft nut. While performing the front suspension repair disconnect the front speed sensor LH as well as the tie rod end sub-assembly LH. The next operation requires detachment of the front No. 1 suspension arm sub-assembly lower LH while removing the front axle assembly LH. To remove the front lower ball joint assembly LH use Special Service Tool: 09628-62011 while completing the steps of extracting the cotter pin and castle nuts.

The first step in installing the front lower ball joint assembly LH requires attachment to steer knuckle by a castle nut while keeping threads and taper surfaces dry and torquing the nut to 103 Nm with 1,050 kgf-cm and 76 ft-lbf. New cotter pins should be installed to the steering knuckle before tightening the nut by 60° when the holes don't match. The second step requires installation of the front axle assembly LH and then the front suspension No. 1 lower arm sub-assembly LH. Install the required tie rod end sub-assembly LH. You should install the front speed sensor LH while positioning the front axle shaft LH nut next. Installation of the front wheel should proceed with torquing it to 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft-lbf) followed by inspection and alignment adjustment of the front wheels and ABS speed sensor signal verification.

Start the front lower ball joint replacement by removing the front wheel followed by disconnecting the front axle shaft nut according to the 2AZ-FE or 2ZR-FE model. Detach the front speed sensor by removing the bolt and breaking its connection to the front shock absorber bracket while steering knuckle. Maintain clean conditions on the sensor tip along with installation surfaces and avoid sensor rotation from its initial position. Proceed by disconnecting the front disc brake caliper assembly and disc and sub-assembly of the tie rod end. First uncouple the front lower suspension arm after removing its bolt and two nuts and afterward take out the front axle assembly. Secure the front axle assembly inside a vise without putting excessive force before proceeding to remove the cotter pin and nut. The front lower ball joint requires the installation of Special Service Tool: 09960-20010 at its position and should measure a 1 mm (0.04 in.) clearance between the tool and front axle assembly. The front lower ball joint removal can be handled using Special Service Tools 09960-20010 and 09961-02010 together with bolt thread and tool bolt end greasing. The tool needs to be installed with parallel components A and B before the user adds a wrench to the specified part while preserving the front lower ball joint dust cover from damage.

Jack up the front part of the vehicle and inspect the front lower ball joint assembly by moving the front suspension arm lower No. 1 up and down to check for vertical looseness.

Install a new cotter pin to the steering knuckle, tightening the nut an additional 60° if the cotter pin holes are misaligned.

Replace the lower ball joint if necessary.

Separate the front No. 1 suspension arm sub-assembly lower LH and remove the front axle assembly LH.

Replace the lower ball joint assembly with a new one.

Use a bolt and two nuts, torquing to 89 Nm (908 kgf-cm, 66 ft-lbf).

Install Special Service Tool: 09960-20010 to the front lower ball joint, ensuring a clearance measurement of 1 mm (0.0394 in.) between the tool and the front axle assembly.

Jack up the front side of the vehicle and check for rattle in the lower ball joint assembly.

Begin by inspecting the assembly after jacking up the front side of the vehicle and checking for any rattle.

8.5 Nm (87 kgf-cm, 75 in-lbf).

Finally, remove the lower ball joint assembly front LH by taking out the cotter pin and castle nut, and then use Special Service Tool: 09628-62011 to detach the lower ball joint assembly from the steering knuckle LH.

Flip the ball joint stud back and forth five times before installing the nut, then use a torque wrench to measure the turning torque, which should be between 0.98 to 4.9 Nm (10 to 50 kgf/cm, 8.7 to 43 in. lbs.).

Remove the front wheel and the front axle hub LH nut using Special Service Tool: 09930-00010.

Special Service Tool: 09628-62011.