Jeep Cherokee Ball Joints Replacement

Ball joints are the suspension component of your Jeep Cherokee. Over time, the ball joints get worn out and become loose. So, that time you should replace the ball joints to their proper functionality. 

If you witness the ball joints fail to operate properly, the article will help you to know the Jeep Cherokee ball joints replacement procedure. Also, you learn more about the component throughout the article.

What Do Ball Joints Do On A Jeep Cherokee?

Ball joints are a part of your car’s suspension system. The ball joint acts as a pivot. You can compare it with the human hip joint. It forms with a socket and bearing stud, which fit snugly inside a lubricated casing. 

You will get at least one ball joint per front wheel, and in some cases, you will get two ball joints, upper and lower. 

The steering knuckles are attached to the control arms or axle, allowing them to move radially. It will enable you to turn your wheel back and forth and the suspension to move.

What Causes Ball Joints To Go Bad In Jeep Cherokee?

Here are some possible reasons why your Jeep Cherokee ball joints go bad:

• Driving the vehicle on bumpy or uneven road surfaces for a long time
• The ball joint’s boot ruptured, allowing all grease to leak, moisture, and dirt to get inside.
• The metal-to-metal contact wears it out if the ball joints are not lubricated.

How To Check If A Ball Joint Is Bad?

Follow the below methods to check whether your car ball joint is working correctly or not:

Method 1: Get bits of help from an assistant and ask him to turn the steering wheel, and you will hear a clunk sound from the ball joints, which indicates a malfunction on the ball joints.

Method 2: First, jack up your jeep using a jack stand. Both tires should be securely off the ground. Grab the top and bottom of a tire and wiggle it back and forth, pushing in and out. The tire should be solid, and no movement will occur if the ball joint is in good condition.

But, if you feel some movement or clicking filling, something unusual happens. It might come due to a bad ball joint or an adjustable ball joint out of whack.

Method 3: After jacking up the vehicle, take a crowbar or some long bar, and insert it under the tire. Push the bar up. If you notice any clicking, your Jeep faces an issue with ball joints. 

Why Replace Jeep Cherokee Ball Joints?

Sometimes, the ball joints can pop out from their socket if you don’t replace them if they go bad. When that happens, the contact between the spindle and the suspension system will be missing. This leads the vehicle to belly flop on the ground or goes out of control, and you need to stand.

Also, if the ball joint misaligns, you will find it hard to move the wheel. So, if you detect your vehicle ball joint has malfunctioned, you should replace it if needed or take a further step to solve it. 

How To Replace Jeep Cherokee Ball Joints?

If you don’t have mechanical knowledge of your Jeep Cherokee suspension and brake components, you should take help from a professional to do the replacement process properly.

However, if you have the right tools and have enough confidence that you can change the ball joints, below is a brief guide on how to remove and replace ball joints.  

Tools Needed

• Jack stand
• Pickle fork
• Needle nose pliers
• Ball Joint Press
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• 12, 19, 22, and 36 mm Socket, ratchet, and breaker bar

Replacement Process:

Step 1: Remove The Wheel

Raise your vehicle using a jack stand. The front wheels should be off from the ground. Then, remove the front wheel lug nuts, cotter pin, and axle nut. For this step, you need to use a 19 mm socket, nose pliers, 36 mm socket with a breaker bar.

Step 2: Remove The Caliper And Rotor

After removing the wheel:

1. Dismount the caliper. For this, use a 12 mm socket or wrench to remove the bolts which attach the caliper to the spindle.
2. After removing the bolts, pull the caliper towards and remove it.
3. After removing it, use zip ties or mechanics wire to hang it up.

Step 3: Remove The Rotor 

Now, spray on the rotor where it meets with the hub as rust builds up over time. Now, take a hammer and tap on it. Then, pull out the rotor using your hand.

Step 4: Removing The Hub And Axle shaft

Remove the three bolts from the hub using a 12-point 13mm socket which secures the wheel hub to the spindle. If needed, use rust penetrant spray around the hub contact points before removing the nuts. 

After removing the nuts, tap the axle using a hammer. Then, tap the hub from behind to separate it from the spindle. 

Then, remove the cotter pins and nuts using a 22 mm socket to remove the axle shaft. After removing the nuts, you can remove the entire thing in one piece. 

After removing the axle shaft, the fluid will start leaking. So, use a paper towel or anything to seal the leak. 

Step 5: Remove the lower and upper ball joint

Take a 28 mm socket and a breaker bar to remove the nut from the lower ball joint. 

Then, use a pickle fork between the upper ball joint and the spindle and separate the spindle from the axle. 

Then, set up a ball joint press. Sometimes you need to change the configuration of the ball joint press to push the ball joint. You need to figure out where you need the adapter. You must press the top joint upwards and the lower ball joint downwards.

After proper setup, use a 22 mm socket and ratchet to press the ball joint out of the axle and remove both.

Step 6: Install new ball joints

Now, insert the new ball joint into the upper spindle and set up the ball with the ball joint press. Then, use a 22 mm socket and ratchet to press the ball joint into the spindle. 

Bring the ball joint down until its bottom slot exposes on the axle. Then, do a similar process for the lowball joint. 

Step 7: Put Everything Back

After properly installing the ball joints, follow the reverse procedure. Also, don’t forget to grease the ball joint, rotor, and clipper.

Note: If you do the replacement process by yourself, you may need to take the vehicle to a repair shop for wheel alignment. You need heavy machinery that mobile mechanics also do not have.

Final Words

The ball joint will last more than 70,000 miles in the Jeep Cherokee. So you will not see an issue with the parts regularly. But you need to replace it when it fails to function properly. In such a condition, the above guide will help you do the Jeep Cherokee ball joints replacement process if you want.