OEM 2007 Toyota Solara Ball Joint

2007 Toyota Solara Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to service and repair the front lower ball joint on 2007 Toyota Solara?

  A: The servicing process for front lower ball joints starts with removing the front wheel along with the front axle hub LH nut. The service requires removal of the front disc brake caliper assembly LH together with its front disc and speed sensor front LH followed by tie rod assembly LH and front suspension No.1 lower arm subassembly LH. Start by detaching the front axle assembly and front lower ball joint assembly LH by removing the castle nut, cotter pin along with the lower ball joint assembly front LH using Special Service Tool: 09628-62011. When checking the lower ball joint assembly front LH, place it in a vise and install the stud bolt nut before performing five repeated ball joint joints movements or more. A torque wrench should be used to turn the nut continuously while maintaining a 3 to 5 second turn duration until the fifth turn has a torque reading of 0.98 to 3.43 Nm (10 to 35 kgf-cm, 8.7 to 30 ft. lbs.); if this torque range is not achieved the lower ball joint assembly requires replacement. When installing the front LH steering knuckle to the lower ball joint assembly front LH use a 123 Nm (1,250 kgf-cm, 91 ft. lbs.) torque on the castle nut while expanding the angle to 60 degrees when the cotter pin holes are mismatched. The installation process requires a new cotter pin and subsequent addition of the front axle assembly LH alongside the front suspension No.1 lower arm subassembly, tie rod assembly LH, front disc, front disc brake caliper assembly LH, speed sensor front LH, and front axle hub LH nut with 103 Nm (1,050 kgf-cm, 76 ft. lbs.) torque. The last procedure includes both front wheel alignment inspection and ABS speed sensor signal verification.