How to replace the front lower ball joints 2011-2017 Toyota Camry
To replace the front lower ball joints on your Camry this tutorial was tailor-made for you. You will be asked to lift the vehicle, take off the wheels, loosen the lower ball joint upper nut as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 7 chapters in 45 minutes. Take your 19 mm wrench and your 18 mm socket and let’s get started!
Duration
45 minutes
Number of steps
7
Difficulty out of 5
2
Average savings
$130
Parts You Will Need
Tools You Will Need
Step-by-Step Installation
Chapter 1:
Open the hood
Step 1/3
Turn your engine off and set the parking brake.
Chapter 1:
Step 2/3
Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels. Lift the front of your vehicle.
Chapter 1:
Step 3/3
Place the vehicle on the jack stands. Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!
Chapter 2:
Loosen the lower ball joint upper nut
Step 1/4
You can now see the front lower ball joint of your car.
Chapter 2:
Step 2/4
Using a flat head screwdriver, unfold the pin from the castle nut of the lower ball joint. Then, remove it using pliers.
Chapter 2:
Step 3/4
Brush the nut of the lower ball joint and spray it with penetrating oil.
Chapter 2:
Step 4/4
Unscrew the nut using a 19 mm wrench.
Chapter 3:
Remove the ball joint holding nuts
Step 1/4
Brush the nuts holding the lower ball joint and spray them with penetrating oil.
Chapter 3:
Step 2/4
Using a ratchet and an 18 mm socket, unscrew the 2 nuts holding the lower ball joint.
Chapter 3:
Step 3/4
Brush the lower ball joint retaining bolt and spray it with penetrating oil.
Chapter 3:
Step 4/4
Then, unscrew it using the same tools.
Chapter 4:
Separate the ball joint from the control arm
Step 1/5
Using a crowbar, separate the lower ball joint from the control arm.
Chapter 4:
Step 2/5
If you do not have a ball joint puller, a tool specifically designed for this task, take a hammer and hit the knuckle.
Chapter 4:
Step 3/5
The ball joint should come out of the knuckle.
Chapter 4:
Step 4/5
Finish unscrewing the nut, then remove the lower ball joint.
Chapter 4:
Step 5/5
Using a wire brush, brush the knuckle, then apply silicone grease to the flat part that will be in contact with the rubber boot of the lower ball joint.
Chapter 5:
Put the ball joint back
Step 1/6
Place the lower ball joint in the wheel knuckle.
Chapter 5:
Step 2/6
Loosely screw the nut back on to hold it together.
Chapter 5:
Step 3/6
Shift the lower ball joint to the side. Then, use the crowbar to push down the control arm, allowing you to reinsert the lower ball joint into it.
Chapter 5:
Step 4/6
Take the new bolts and nuts provided in the kit. Then, screw them back on.
Chapter 5:
Step 5/6
Finish tightening using a torque wrench.
Chapter 5:
Step 6/6
Finish tightening the nut holding the lower ball joint.
Chapter 6:
Finalise the reassembly
Step 1/2
Take the cotter pin and fit it into the castle nut.
Chapter 6:
Step 2/2
Use a screwdriver to bend the cotter pin.
Chapter 7:
Put the vehicle back on the ground
Step 1/3
Then, you will be able to put the wheels back on your vehicle.
Chapter 7:
Step 2/3
Put your vehicle back on the ground before properly fixing the wheels in place.
Chapter 7:
Step 3/3
Operation complete.