Challenger SRT-8 V8-6.1L (2009)
Ball Joint: Description and Operation
Front Suspension Lower Ball Joint - Description
DESCRIPTION
There are two lower ball joints on this vehicle. One for the lower control arm and the other for the tension strut. The ball joint for the lower control arm
is pressed into the knuckle and the ball joint for the tension strut is part of the tension strut. The ball joints are both "sealed for life" components and
cannot be maintenance lubricated. No attempt should ever be made to add any lubrication to these ball joints.
The ball joint for the lower control arm is a ball joint and seal boot cartridge type and can be replaced as a separate component of the knuckle. The boot
cannot be serviced separately. To service this ball joint, See: Front Steering Knuckle/Service and Repair/Disassembly.
Neither the ball joint, nor the seal boot for the tension strut can be serviced as a separate component. The entire tension strut must be replaced if either
are damaged.
The ball joint connection to the lower control arm and the ball joint connection at the knuckle is achieved by an interference fit created by the tapered
stud of the ball joint and a tapered hole in the steering knuckle. The ball joint stud is retained in the steering knuckle using a locking nut.