Safari Van 2WD V6-4.3L VIN X (2003)
Ball Joint: Testing and Inspection
Ball Joint Inspection
^
Tools Required
-
J 8001 Dial Indicator
Important:
^
The vehicle must rest on a level surface.
^
The vehicle must be stable. Do not rock the vehicle on the floor stands.
^
The upper control arm bumper must not contact the frame.
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Support the lower control arm with a floor stand or jack, as far outboard as possible, under the stabilizer bar bracket.
Important: If a seal is cut or torn, replace the ball joint.
3. Clean and inspect the ball joints seals for cuts or tears. If the ball joint seals are damaged, replace the bail joint.
4. Check the wheel bearing for looseness. If looseness in the wheel bearing is present, refer to Wheel Bearings Diagnosis.
5. Check the ball joints for horizontal looseness.
5.1.
Position the J8001 dial indicator against the lowest outboard point on the wheel rim.
5.2.
Rock the wheel in and out while reading the dial indicator. This shows horizontal looseness in both joints.
5.3.
The dial indicator reading should be no more than 2.00 mm (0.080 inch). If the reading is too high, check the lower ball joints for vertical
looseness.
Important: Do not support the lower control arm with a jack stand for a RWD vehicle, this will unload or cause compression on the wear
indicator and will cause the wear indicator to give a false reading.
6. For RWD vehicles, check the lower ball joints for wear and for vertical looseness using the following procedure:
6.1.
Remove the safety stand from under the lower control arm.
6.2.
Inspect by sight the lower ball joint for wear. The position of the housing into which the grease fitting is threaded indicates wear. This round
housing projects 1.27 mm (0.050 inch) beyond the surface of the ball joint cover on a new lower ball joint. Under normal wear, the surface
of the ball joint housing retreats inward very slowly.
6.3.
First observe, then scrape a scale, a screwdriver, or a fingernail across the cover. If the round housing is flush with or inside of the cover
