Lower control arm ball joints (Range Rover 3)

The lower control arm ball joints must be replaced in pairs.

Dismantling

1. Raise the front of the vehicle.

CAUTION: Do not work under a vehicle supported solely by a jack or lift. Always support the vehicle with safety stands.

2. Remove the wheels.



3. Loosen the bolt securing the lower arm to the subframe by turning it a quarter of a turn.

4. Loosen the nut securing the body height sensor rod to the lower arm and disconnect the rod.

CAUTION: Use a socket wrench to prevent the ball joint from rotating.

5. Unscrew the nut securing the ball joint of the lower arm to the hub.



6. Using the LRT-54-027 tool, release the lower arm ball joint and disconnect the lower arm from the hub.

CAUTION: Make sure that the ball joint protective boot is not damaged. A damaged boot will cause the joint to fail.

7. Loosen the bolt securing the tie rod to the subframe by turning it a quarter of a turn.

8. Unscrew the nut securing the transverse steering rod to the ball joint.



9. Using the LRT-54-027 tool, disconnect the tie rod from the ball joint.



10. Remove the 2 ball joint mounting screws. Discard the bolts.



11. Remove the ball joint.

Assembly

1. Clean the ball joint and mating surface from dirt.

2. Install the ball joint, install new bolts and tighten them to 60 N·m (44 lb ft).

3. Clean any dirt from the conical surfaces of the ball pin and the steering knuckle socket.

4. Connect the tie rod to the ball joint and tighten the nut to 80 N·m (59 lb ft).

5. Clean any dirt from the conical surfaces of the ball pin and the steering knuckle socket.

6. Connect the lower arm ball joint to the hub and tighten the nut to 80 N·m (59 lb ft).

7. Install the lower control arm and tie rod end bolts to the subframe, but do not tighten them yet.

8. Reinstall the wheels and tighten the nuts to 140 N·m (103 lb ft).

9. Remove the supports and lower the vehicle.

10. Tighten the tie rod to subframe mounting bolt to 165 N·m (121 lb ft) and turn it through an additional 90°.

11. Tighten the lower arm-to-subframe bolt to 165 N·m (121 lb ft) and turn it through 90°.

12. Repeat the operation for the ball joint located on the other side of the vehicle.

13. Check the front wheel alignment angles.