- Ball joint separator or pickle fork
- 1/2 inch breaker bar
- 1/2 inch ratchet
- 1/2 inch socket set
- 19mm wrench
- 22mm wrench
- Hammer
Instructions:
1. Use the jack and jack stands to lift and secure your vehicle. Remember, never crawl underneath a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
2. Make sure the parking brake is engaged and the vehicle is in gear for increased safety.
3. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you'll be working on but don't remove them yet.
4. Remove the hub cap and place the socket wrench on the lug nut closest to the engine block. Use the breaker bar to break it free, then use the ratchet to turn counterclockwise until the tire is ready to fall off.
5. Remove the other lug nuts and set the tire aside.
6. Use the wrench to remove the cotter pin from the castle nut. Place the open-end wrench on top of the castle nut and use the combination wrench to hold the upper control arm in place. Turn counterclockwise until the control nut comes free, then remove it with your fingers.
7. Place a jack under the lower control arm and jack it up just enough to remove the pressure from the ball joint. Never place a jack under the ball joint itself. Doing so could damage your vehicle's suspension.
8. Use a pry bar or ball joint separator to pop the ball joint loose. You may need to give the tie-rod a few whacks with the hammer in order to loosen it.
9. Remove the ball joint and cotter pin. Apply some grease to the new ball joint before tightening the nut into the taper.
10. Put the lug nut back on and hand-thread it.
11. Lift the truck until it is off of the jack stands and tires.
12. Tighten the lug nuts according to the owner's manual.
