### Lower Ball Joints

#### REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

##### Sentra, Altima, 200SX and 1995-97 Maxima

The lower ball joint is not replaceable, if the ball joint is defective the lower control arm or transverse link must be replaced.

##### 1993-94 Maxima

1. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel assembly.
3. Remove the wheel bearing cotter pin and locknut.
4. Disconnect the tie rod from the steering knuckle.
5. Loosen but not remove the strut-to-chassis nuts.
6. Remove the lower ball joint-to-traverse link securing bolts/nuts.
7. Remove the drive axle.
8. Remove the ball joint cotter pin and castle nut.
9. Using the Ball Joint Remover tool HT72520000 or equivalent, separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
10. Remove the ball joint.

    To install:

11. Install the ball joint in the spindle and tighten the ball joint-to-steering knuckle nut to 52-64 ft. lbs. (71-86 Nm). Install a new cotter pin.
12. Install the drive axle
13. Install the ball joint-to-traverse link securing bolts. Tighten the ball joint-to-traverse link bolts/nuts to 56-80 ft. lbs. (76-109 Nm).
14. Tighten the strut-to-chassis nuts to 116-137 ft. lbs. (157-186 Nm).
15. Reconnect the tie rod to the steering knuckle.
16. Install the wheel bearing locknut and tighten to 174-231 ft. lbs. (235-314 Nm). Install a new cotter pin.
17. Install the wheel assembly.
18. Lower the vehicle.
19. Check the vehicle for proper alignment.

##### 300ZX

NOTE: The lower ball joint is integral with the lower control arm (transverse link). They are removed and replaced as an assembly.

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Disconnect the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.
4. Disconnect the tension rod from the lower control arm.
5. Remove the mounting through bolt connecting the lower control arm to the suspension crossmember.

   NOTE: It may be necessary to turn the steering wheel to move the steering rack for removal of the through bolt.

   To install:

   NOTE: When installing the control arm, temporarily tighten the nuts and/or bolts securing the control arm to the suspension crossmember. Tighten them fully only after the vehicle's weight is resting on the wheels.

6. Install the lower control arm and install the through bolt with securing nut. At this time only snug the mounting nut.
7. Connect the ball joint stud to the knuckle and torque the nut to 65-80 ft. lbs. (88-108 Nm). Install a new cotter pin.
8. Connect the tension rod to the control arm and torque the nuts as follows:
   1. Convertible models torque to 69-83 ft. lbs. (93-113 Nm).
   2. Non-convertible models torque to 80-94 ft. lbs. (108-127 Nm).
9. Install the wheels and lower the vehicle to the floor.
10. Once the full weight of the vehicle is on the suspension, torque the inner lower arm mounting bolt nut to 80-94 ft. lbs. (108-127 Nm).