Hombre XS Space Cab 2WD V6-4.3L (1998)
Ball Joint: Service and Repair
Upper
REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with safety stands.
2. Remove the tire and wheel.
3. Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint stud of the upper control arm.
3.1.Loosen, but do not remove, the stud nut on the upper ball joint stud.
3.2.Loosen the stud from the knuckle.
4. Remove the nut.
5. Disconnect the ball joint from the knuckle.
5.1.Tip the knuckle out and toward the rear of the vehicle.
5.2.Suspend the knuckle from the upper control arm in order to prevent straining the brake line.
6. Remove the rivets from the ball joint.
7. Use a 3.175 mm (1/8 inch.) drill to cut a 6.35 mm (1/4 inch.) deep hole in the center of each rivet.
8. Drill the rivet heads away using a 12.7 mm (1/ 2 inch.) drill.
