How to Change the Ball Joints on a Cherokee

The Jeep Cherokee is one of many trucks that employ upper and lower ball joints on both front wheels. These joints are part of the control arms, which must be removed in order to change the joints. You can replace the individual joint itself, but it will require a special tool that you can usually only get from a rental yard. If you don't have access to or the confidence to use such a tool, you should just remove the control arm and have an automotive machine shop change it.

Instructions

Removal

1

Raise the Cherokee's front end and support it on jack stands. Remove the wheel with the ball joint to be replaced. Proceed to Step 3 if you are removing a lower ball joint.

2

Unbolt the inner fenderwell liner, removing its bolts with a wrench, if you are changing the upper ball joint. Proceed directly to Step 5.

3

Disconnect the bolts for the brake caliper with your wrench and hang the caliper with a strong wire. Unbolt and remove the caliper mounting bracket and slip the brake disc off. This is all that's needed for the lower ball joint.

4

Unbolt and remove the hub/bearing. Remove the retaining nut on the outer tie-rod end and separate the tie-rod from the steering knuckle.

5

Loosen the nut on the ball joint stud without removing it, using your wrench. Connect a ball joint separator tool to the nut and separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.

6

Remove all remaining fasteners connecting the control arm to the frame and remove the control arm.

7

Connect a ball joint press tool to the joint and control arm. Squeeze the joint out of the control arm and into the tool's receiver cup.

Installation

8

Squeeze and install the replacement ball joint into the control arm using the same removal tool.

9

Reconnect the control arm to the frame using all of its fasteners. Make sure all of the bolts are pointing in the same direction as before.

10

Reconnect the steering knuckle to the ball joint and apply a new nut to the ball stud.

11

Reconnect the tie-rod end, the hub/bearing and the brake assembly for the lower arm. Reconnect the inner fenderwell liner for the upper arm.

12

Remount the wheel and lower the vehicle.