How To: Improve Steering and Suspension - PartSource: Automotive, Truck Parts & Accessories

How To Improve Steering and Suspension

Whether you are heading north to the cottage or south for some golf, your car needs to be ready for rainy, gravel-covered roads this spring. Improve your steering and suspension by taking the time to do a few simple updates to your chassis. Trust me; you’ll feel the difference a little effort makes.

Ball Joint Replacement
Tie Rod Replacement
Idler Arm Replacement
Pitman Arm Replacement
Hub Bearing Replacement

If you have any questions or if you're unsure of anything, feel free to contact the Parts Pros at your local PartSource. They’ll always ready to help, no matter what the job is.

Let’s go!

Make Safety Your Top Priority

Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual.

Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. Watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for a flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Finally, when the fun turns to frustration, or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your capabilities, please do not attempt it yourself. Talk to a Parts Pro or seek the assistance of a professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.

Before You Begin

There are many different makes of vehicles, so before you start any of the below repairs, make sure to stop by PartSource and get free vehicle specific instructions printed out from Mitchell on demand.

Ball Joint Replacement


Loosen the lug nuts but do not remove them. Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands. Place the jack stand under the lower control arm, this will hold the spring and control arm in place while we remove the ball joint.
Apply the parking brake and remove the wheel.
Remove the caliper mounting bolts, and hang the caliper out of the way.
Mechanics wire works great for keeping the caliper out of the way.
Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint retaining nut.
Loosen the nut 2 turns.
Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle using a pry bar or pickle fork.
You can borrow a pickle fork through the PartSource Loan a Tool program.
Remove the ball joint from the control arm. If your vehicle has never had their ball joints replaced they will be riveted on. You will need to drill out the rivets to remove the ball joint from the control arm.
Install the new ball joint in the control arm and tighten new hardware to specified torque.
IMPORTANT - Always have your front end alignment checked by a certified technician after steering components have been replaced.

Tie Rod Replacement

Loosen the lug nuts but do not remove them. Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands.
Apply the parking brake and remove front wheels.
For added safety place blocks behind the rear wheels.
Remove the cotter pins from the outer tie rod end retaining nut. Loosen the nut but do not remove it. This will ensure the tie rod separates safely.
If the retaining nut is difficult to remove try spraying some penetrating fluid on the nut and bolt, and letting it sit for a couple minutes.
Install a puller and separate the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
Remove the outer tie rod retaining nut.
Mark the position of the outer tie rod on the inner arm.
Loosen the adjuster sleeve clamp bolts, remove the outer tie rod end.
Install new outer tie rod end, thread it on till you reach the mark you made earlier on the inner sleeve.
Tighten the adjuster sleeve clamp bolts.
Secure tie rod ends to the steering knuckle.
Tighten retaining nut to specified torque, and install a new cotter pin.
Remove the cotter pins from the inner tie rod retaining nut and loosen the nut but do not remove it. This will make sure the tie rod separates safely.
Install a puller and separate the inner tie rod end from the center link.
Remove the inner tie rod retaining nut.
Mark the position of the inner tie rod end on the arm.
Loosen the adjuster sleeve clamp bolts and remove the inner tie rod end.
Install new inner tie rod end, thread it on until you reach the mark you made earlier on the arm.
Tighten the adjuster sleeve clamp bolts.
Secure tie rod end to the center link.
Tighten the retaining nut to the specified torque, and install a new cotter pin.
IMPORTANT - Always have your front end alignment checked by a certified technician after steering components have been replaced.

Idler Arm Replacement

Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands.
Remove the idler arm cotter pin and the retaining nut.
Separate the idler arm from the center link.
Remove any bolts and attach the idler arm support to the frame.
Install a new idler arm in the reverse order of removal. Make sure to use new cotter pins and tighten to specified torque.
IMPORTANT - Always have your front-end alignment checked by a certified technician after the steering components have been replaced.

Pitman Arm Replacement

Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands.
Remove the retaining nut and cotter pin at the pitman arm to center link (for some models it may be the drag link).
Separate the pitman arm from the center link or drag link.
Mark the position of the pitman arm on the steering gear shaft.
Remove the retaining nut and cotter pin that goes from the pitman arm to the steering gear shaft.
Install the new pitman arm in the reverse order of the removal. Make sure to use new cotter pins and tighten to the specified torque.
IMPORTANT - Always have your front end alignment checked by a certified technician after steering components have been replaced.

Hub Bearing Replacement

Remove the hub cover, and loosen the drive axle nut.
Loosen the lug nuts but do not remove them. Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands.
Remove the wheel.
Remove the caliper mounting bolts, and hang the caliper out of the way.
Remove the brake rotor.
Remove the drive axle nut.
Remove the hub bearing; you will need to undo the hub to steering knuckle bolts. Once the bolts are removed, tap the hub bearing moving it side to side to loosen. If necessary, install a puller on the hub bearing to pull it free.
You can borrow a puller from the PartSource Loan a Tool program.
IMPORTANT - Make sure you do not damage the threads on the end of the drive axle. You can place a rag on the end of the drive axle to prevent this from happening.
Apply a thin coat of multipurpose grease to the drive axle shaft.
To install the new hub bearing, reverse the above instructions. Make sure you tighten all of the hardware to the specified torque.
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3/8 or ½ socket set
(3/8: 640189 ½: 640187)
3/8 or ½ ratchet
(3/8: 641520 ½: 642509)
3/8 or ½ extension
(3/8: 641502 ½: 642502)
3/8 or ½ torque wrench
(3/8: 644045 ½: 644046)
Breaker bar (1/2: 642504)
Pry Bar (we do not carry)
Jack (0091027)
Jack stands (0091019)

Ball Joints
Inner & Outer Tie Rod Ends
Idler Arm
Pitman Arm
Hub Bearings
Grease Gun (0282703, 0282704, 0282717, 0282714)
Multi purpose grease
(0289299, 0289299)
Penetrating Fluid
(0387902, 0381516)