Dodge Caliber. Manual - part 13

SEAL-LOWER BALL JOINT

REMOVAL

CAUTION: This procedure is designed to be used only if a seal boot is damaged during related service
procedures. It is not to be used as a repair procedure for a cut seal boot on a vehicle that has been driven
and exposed to road and weather conditions.

1. Remove the lower control arm from the vehicle.

(Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/LOWER CON-
TROL ARM - REMOVAL)

2. Using a screwdriver or other suitable tool (2), pry

the seal boot (1) off of the ball joint.

INSTALLATION

1. Place a liberal dab of Mopar

Multi-Mileage Lube (No more than 10g) or equivalent around the base of the ball

joint stud at the socket.

2. Position the ball joint stud straight up.

3. Place the NEW ball joint seal boot over the ball joint stud.

4. By hand, start the seal boot over the sides of the ball joint.

CAUTION: Prior to installing the sealing boot
using Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6289-4, make
sure there are no burrs on the inside of the tool.
Remove any burrs and lubricate with a small
amount of Mopar

Multi-Mileage Lube or equiva-

lent.

5. Place Remover/Installer, Special Tool 6289-4, onto

the screw-drive of Ball Joint Press, Special Tool
C-4212F.

6. Place

Remover/Installer,

Special

Tool

6289-6,

angle-cut end up into the cup of Ball Joint Press,
Special Tool C-4212F. Before tightening the set,
turn the Remover/Installer so that the tallest point
of the angle-cut is away from the body of the con-
trol arm when installing the seal boot.

7. Place the control arm ball joint into Remover/In-

staller 6289-6. Rotate the arm left or right until the
tallest point of the angle cut on the Remover/Installer is away from the body of the control arm.

FRONT SUSPENSION

2 - 17

8. Lower Remover/Installer 6289-4 onto outer lip of ball joint seal.

9. By hand, tighten the Ball Joint Press screw-drive installing the seal boot. Tighten the screw-drive until the seal

boot is seated squarely down against the top surface of the lower control arm (3). It may be necessary to use a
wrench to seat the seal boot, but do not overtighten.

10. Remove the tools and wipe any grease off the ball joint stud using a clean shop towel with Mopar

Brake Parts

Cleaner applied to it.

11. Install the lower control arm. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/LOWER CONTROL ARM - INSTALLATION)

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FRONT SUSPENSION

ARM-LOWER CONTROL

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

LOWER CONTROL ARM

Inspect the lower control arm for signs of damage from contact with the ground or road debris. If the lower control
arm shows any sign of damage, look for distortion. Do not attempt to repair or straighten a broken or bent lower
control arm. If damaged, the lower control arm stamping is serviced only as a complete component.

Inspect both lower control arm isolator bushings for severe deterioration and replace the lower control arm as
required. Inspect the ball joint per the inspection procedure in this section of the service manual and replace the
lower control arm required.

The only serviceable component of the lower control arm is the ball joint seal boot. It should only be replaced if
damaged during service of a chassis component. Otherwise, replace the entire control arm.

REMOVAL

NOTE: Before proceeding, (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT - WARNING).

1. Raise and support the vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-

DURE)

2. Remove the wheel mounting nuts (3), then the tire

and wheel assembly (1).

FRONT SUSPENSION

2 - 19

3. Remove the nut (5) and pinch bolt (4) clamping the

ball joint (6) stud to the knuckle (3).

CAUTION: Upon removing the knuckle from the
ball joint stud, do not pull outward on the knuckle.
Pulling the knuckle outward at this point can sep-
arate the inner C/V joint on the halfshaft thus dam-
aging it.

CAUTION: Use care when separating the ball joint
stud (4) from the knuckle (1), so the ball joint seal
does not get cut.

4. Using an appropriate prying tool (2), separate the

ball joint stud (4) from the knuckle (1) by prying
down on lower control arm (3) and up against the
ball joint boss on the knuckle.

5. Remove the front bolt (2) attaching the lower con-

trol arm (3) to the front suspension crossmember
(4).

6. Remove the nut (1) on the rear bolt attaching the

lower control arm (3) to the front suspension cross-
member (4). Remove the bolt.

7. Remove the lower control arm (3) from the cross-

member (4).

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FRONT SUSPENSION

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