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

How To Improve Steering and Suspension

Whether you’re headed north to the cottage or south for some golf, your car needs to be ready for rainy, gravel-filled roads this spring. Improve your steering and suspension by taking the time for 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, so when it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual. Don't work with a Philips when it calls for flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or your vehicle's performance.

Safety should be your number one priority, so don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie. And watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

And finally, when the fun turns to frustration or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your abilities, seek the assistance of a Parts Pro, 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 (do not remove). 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 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 (do not remove). Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands.
Apply the parking brake, 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 (do not remove). This will make sure the tie rod separates safely.
If the retaining nut is difficult to remove try spraying some penetrating fluid on the nut & 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 end to the steering knuckle.
Tighten retaining nut to specified torque, and install new cotter pin.
Remove the cotter pins from the inner tie rod retaining nut, loosen the nut (do not remove). 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, remove the inner tie rod end.
Install new inner tie rod end, thread it on till 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 retaining nut to specified torque, and install 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 idler arm cotter pin and retaining nut.
Separate idler arm from center link.
Remove bolts attaching idler arm support to the frame.
Install new idler arm, reverse 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 steering components have been replaced.

Pitman Arm Replacement

Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands.
Remove retaining nut and cotter pin at pitman arm to center link (some models 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 at pitman arm to steering gear shaft.
Install new pitman arm, reverse 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 steering components have been replaced.

Hub Bearing Replacement

Remove the hub cover, and loosen the drive axle nut.
Loosen the lug nuts (do not remove). 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 from side to side to loosen. If necessary, install a puller on the hub bearing to pull 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 hardware to 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)