How to Fix a Ball Joint Problem on a 2005 Magnum

Each time you change the brakes on the 2005 Dodge Magnum, you need to inspect other areas as well. This includes checking the ball joints. The best way to check the ball joints is to try wiggling the wheels when you lift the automobile but before you take the wheel off. If you find any play from top to bottom or side to side, the ball joints need replacing. If the problem is with the upper ball joint, you will need to replace the entire control arm. This instruction includes both upper and lower ball joints.

Instructions

Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Dodge Magnum. Raise the front of the vehicle on the side you need to work on using an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the vehicle near the jacking point and raise it to the frame. Remove the lug nuts using a lug wrench and take the wheel from the Dodge. Remove the screw from the wheel speed sensor using a screwdriver. Pull the sensor head from the steering knuckle.

Remove the brake caliper from the wheel assembly using a socket and ratchet. Secure the caliper to the strut assembly using a wire tie. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose or you will stretch and damage the hose. Remove the brake rotor from the wheel assembly by pulling it off. Remove the cotter pin from the outer tie rod end using a pair of pliers. Remove the retaining nut from the tie rod end using a wrench.

Tap the side of the tie rod end with a rubber mallet to separate it from the control arm. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint using a pair of pliers. Loosen the nut on the upper ball joint using a wrench. Back off on the nut until it is even with the end of the ball joint but do not take it off. Separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using a ball joint tool. Be careful that you do not damage the rubber seal on the ball joint. Remove the ball joint nut.

Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint on the lower control arm using a pair of pliers. Loosen the castellated nut on the lower ball joint using a wrench. Back off on the nut until it is even with the end of the ball joint. Separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle using the ball joint tool. Remove the nut from the ball joint. Remove the steering knuckle from the Dodge.

Remove the snap ring from the bottom of the ball joint using a pair of snap-ring pliers. Separate the ball joint from the lower control arm using the ball joint press. Remove the ball joint from the receiver. Place the new ball joint into the receiver and seat it properly using the ball joint press. Install a snap ring on the bottom of the ball joint using the snap-ring pliers.

Place the steering knuckle on the Dodge Magnum. Insert the ball joint into the bottom of the steering knuckle and tighten the castellated nut using a wrench. Insert a cotter pin into the ball joint and spread it open using a pair of pliers. Connect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle, being careful not to damage the ball joint seal. Install the castellated nut and tighten it using a wrench. Insert a cotter pin into the upper ball joint and spread it open with the pliers.

Install the tie rod end into the steering knuckle. Install the nut and tighten it using a wrench. Insert a cotter pin into the tie rod end and spread it open using the pliers. Place the brake rotor on the wheel assembly. Cut the wire tie using a pair of pliers and place the caliper into the mounting cradle. Tighten the retaining pins using a socket and ratchet. Install the wheel speed sensor into the steering knuckle. Secure the sensor by tightening the retaining screw with a screwdriver.

Place the wheel on the Dodge and tighten the lug nuts using a lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Magnum. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Repeat the procedure on the other wheel if necessary.

Remove the coolant recovery reservoir using a wrench if you are replacing the left control arm and set it aside. Remove the integrated power module using a wrench to remove the bolt and a screwdriver to remove the screw if you are changing the right control arm. Remove the three nuts securing the shock to the shock tower using a wrench inside the engine compartment. Remove the nuts from the upper control arm mounting bolts using a socket and ratchet.

Place a set of wheel chocks behind the rear wheels of the Dodge Magnum. Raise the vehicle on the side that you need to work on using an automobile jack. Place a jack stand under the Dodge near the jacking point and raise it to the frame of the vehicle. Remove the lug nuts using a lug wrench. Take the wheel off the automobile. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor using a screwdriver to remove the retaining screw. Pull the sensor from the steering knuckle.

Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint using a pair of pliers. Loosen the nut on the upper ball joint using a wrench. Back off on the nut until it is even with the end of the ball joint. Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle using a ball joint tool. Remove the nut from the ball joint. Pull the shock assembly down until the studs clear the shock tower and then pull it outward so that you can access the control arm bolts.

Remove the control arm bolts from the assembly. Remove the upper control arm from the bracket. Put the new control arm in place and install the control arm bolts. Push the shock assembly in and allow it to go up into the shock tower. Be sure to align the shock bolts with the holes in the shock tower. Insert the ball joint into the steering knuckle. Install the castellated nut and tighten it with a wrench. Insert the cotter pin and spread it open using a pair of pliers.

Install the wheel speed sensor and tighten the retaining screw using a screwdriver. Install the wheel on the Dodge Magnum. Tighten the lug nuts using the lug wrench. Remove the jack stand from under the Dodge. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Move to the engine compartment and install the nuts to the shock at the top of the shock tower using a wrench. Install the nuts to the upper control arm mounting bolts using a socket and ratchet.

Install the integrated power module and tighten the bolt with a wrench, and the retaining screw with a screwdriver if you removed it. Install the coolant recovery reservoir, and tighten the bolt with a wrench if it you removed it. Repeat the procedure as necessary on the other wheel.