How to Install the Lower Ball Joints for a 2000 Lexus LS400

The Lexus LS400 was introduced in 1989 as the maker's flagship model. The 2000 Lexus LS400 was equipped with a 290-horsepower 4.0-liter V-8 engine. The 2000 Lexus LS400 has lower ball joints, which are the main pivot point between the steering and suspension systems. The ball joint maintains a horizontal and pivotal control of the steering, and is the main point of impact for every hole or bump you ever hit while driving.

Instructions

1

Loosen the front wheels lug nuts on the Lexus, using a tire iron. Raise the side of the Lexus you are going to work on, with a jack. Place a jack stand beneath the subframe arm, just inward from the lower control arm. Do not support he vehicle by the control arm, as you are going to need it able to move up and down. Lower the car onto the jack stand. Remove the lug nuts then the front wheel.

2

Unplug the wheel speed sensor from the rear of the wheel bearing, by hand. Remove the caliper mounting bolts with a ratchet and socket. Remove the caliper from the brake assembly, using a pry bar if needed. Hang the caliper from the front coil spring with a metal clothes hanger. Remove the caliper bracket bolts with a ratchet and socket. Remove the caliper bracket from the steering knuckle. Remove the locking O-ring from the front of the rotor. Remove the front rotor from the hub assembly.

3

Remove the axle nut with a breaker bar and an axle nut socket. Turn the nut until it is flush with the end of the axle. Push the front axle inward with a three-prong jaw puller, through the hub assembly. Remove the outer tie rod end castle nut, then pry the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle carefully with a pry bar.

4

Remove the lower ball joint mounting bolts and nuts from the lower control arm, with a ratchet and socket on the bolt heads, and an open-end-wrench on the nuts. Remove the cotter pin from the stem of the ball joint with pliers, then remove the castle nut with a ratchet and socket. Push the old ball joint downward and out of the lower control arm.

5

Install the new ball joint through the bottom of the steering knuckle, and tighten the nut until it is snug. Use a 1/2-inch-drive torque wrench and socket to tighten the ball joint castle nut to 90 foot-pounds. Raise the lower control arm with a jack to align the mounting holes for the new ball joint, with the control arm mounting holes. Install and tighten the mounting bolts and nuts with a ratchet and socket, along with an open-end wrench. Tighten the bolts and nuts to 155 foot-pounds of torque. Install the cotter pin into the new ball joint and bend it, to lock the castle nut in place.

6

Install the outer tie rod end back into the steering knuckle. Tighten the tie rod end to 36 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and a socket. Install the front brake rotor and run a lug nut onto one of the hub stems, to hold the rotor in place temporarily. Install the caliper bracket and bolts, and tighten the bolts to 105 foot-pounds of torque. Install the brake caliper and tighten the mounting bolts to 35 foot-pounds of torque. Remove the lug nut from the front of the rotor.

7

Push the axle back through the wheel bearing. Tighten the axle nut to 100 foot-pounds with the torque wrench and an axle nut socket. Install the front wheel after you have double checked your torque on every nut and bolt involved in this project, and snug the lug nuts with a tire iron. Raise the Lexus off of the jack stand and remove the stand from beneath the vehicle. Lower the Lexus to the ground and tighten the wheel lug nuts to 95 foot-pounds of torque.

8

Repeat Steps 2 through 7 to complete the second side of the vehicle if needed.