How to Replace the Upper Ball Joints in a 2000 Nissan Frontier

The Nissan Frontier is one of numerous large trucks that uses two control arms and ball joints on each front wheel. It is also one of the many vehicles where the joint is a permanent part of the control arm. You need to replace an upper ball joint if its connection to the steering knuckle is too loose. Replacing this joint, however, means replacing the whole upper control arm. You should inspect both upper joints to see if they both need replacing.

Instructions

Removal

1

Raise the Frontier's front end and support it on jack stands, then remove the front wheel for the correct ball joint; loosening the lug nuts prior to raising the truck can help.

2

Raise the floor jack under the lower control arm directly underneath the upper ball joint to remove the weight from the upper joint.

3

Unscrew the upper and then lower bolts for the shock absorber and remove it. It will help to grip the shock's upper stem with one wrench as you remove the upper bolt with another one.

4

Mark the position of the adjusting cams -- the circular flanges with indicator marks -- to the frame using a marker.

5

Pull out the cotter pin from the ball joint's nut -- this may take pliers -- and then loosen the nut by a few turns with your wrench.

6

Connect a two-jaw type ball joint separator tool to the ball joint and break the joint away from the steering knuckle.

7

Remove the upper control arm's nuts and pivot bolts, taking note of the way they are pointed. Remove the control arm with the ball joint from the Frontier's frame.

Installation

8

Connect the replacement upper control arm (with its connected ball joint) into the frame brackets on the suspension and install the pivot bolts and nuts. Make sure the bolts face the right direction and do not yet tighten them.

9

Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle through the ball stud and tighten the nut to between 58 and 108 foot pounds. Install a new cotter pin; tighten the nut if needed for the pin to fit through.

10

Adjust the height of the floor jack until it helps simulate normal ride height, then tighten the control arm's pivot nuts to 72-87 foot pounds; make sure the adjustment cams match up with the marks you made earlier.

11

Reinstall the shock absorbers with their bolts.

12

Repeat the replacement steps if needed for the upper ball joint on the other side/wheel.

13

Reconnect the wheel(s), lower the floor jack and lower the Frontier off the jack stands.