OEM 2004 Toyota Prius Ball Joint

2004 Toyota Prius Ball Joint Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the LOWER BALL JOINT ASSY FRONT LH on 2004 Toyota Prius?

  A: To begin with, check the LOWER BALL JOINT ASSY FRONT LH by jacking up the vehicle front and measuring vertical movement of the front suspension arm sub-assy lower No.1 using protective cloth-wrapped wooden blocks on bolt and nuts. The front wheel removal must start before proceeding to remove the front axle hub LH nut with Special Service Tool: 09930-00010. The first step is to disassemble the speed sensor front LH along with the front disc brake caliper assy LH. Then proceed with removing the front disc. Use Special Service Tool: 09628-62011 to remove the tie rod end sub-assy LH after which detach the front suspension arm sub-assy lower No.1 LH by taking out the bolt and both nuts to achieve complete arm separation from the lower ball joint assy front. Remove the front axle assy LH and the front wheel bearing dust deflector No.1 LH before extracting the lower ball joint assy front by taking away the clip and castle nuts while using Special Service Tool: 09611-36020 in a way that avoids steering knuckle damage and attaches the tool to the spacer properly. The installation of the lower ball joint assy front requires flipping the ball joint stud five times before torquing the nut to 0.98 to 4.90 Nm (10 to 50 kgf-cm, 8.7 to 43 inch lbs.). Employ special tool 09611-36020 when measuring front lower ball joint assy alignment. Evaluate dust boots for damage and fullness or replace the front lower ball joint assy if necessary. The procedure to install the new lower ball joint assy front LH requires you to mount it on the steering knuckle with the castle nut where both threads and tapers are clean then torque it to 71 Nm (724 kgf-cm, 52 ft. lbs.) and add another 60 degrees of torque if the cotter pin holes do not align properly. The installation process starts with a new steering knuckle clip and ends with the front wheel bearing dust deflector No.1 LH using Special Service Tool: 09950-70010 (09951-07150), 09608-32010. Screw the lower ball joint assy front with the bolt and two nuts to the front suspension arm sub-assy lower No.1 LH while torquing them to 89 Nm (908 kgf-cm, 66 ft. lbs.). After attaching the tie rod end sub-assy LH, front disc, front disc brake caliper assy LH and speed sensor front LH, front axle hub LH nut, mount the front wheel and secure it with a torque of 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.). Adjust and check the front wheel alignment after inspecting both systems together with a test for the ABS speed sensor signal.