How to Replace the Ball Joints on a 1998 Dodge Stratus
- 1). Give the front wheel lug nuts a 1/4 turn counterclockwise with a tire wrench but do not unseat the wheel from the wheel hub.
- 2). Place the jack under the front jack point of the Stratus and jack it up.
- 3). Continue removing the lug nuts and pull the wheel off.
- 4). Remove the cotter pin out of the axle nut by pulling it out with a pair of pliers.
- 5). Remove the axle nut with a socket wrench.
- 6). Remove the top and bottom mounting bolts on the caliper with a socket wrench.
- 7). Slide the brake caliper off the rotor and secure the caliper to the coil springs above the brake assembly.
- 8). Remove the cotter pin and mounting nut from both ball joints.
- 9). Position the teeth of the ball joint removal tool between the joint and the steering knuckle on the upper control arm and hit the end of the tool with a hammer to separate the joint from the knuckle. Repeat this process for the lower ball joint.
- 10
Press the old ball joint out. Put the clamp of the press tool over the top of the ball joint. Turn the handle clockwise to press the joint out of the control arm. - 11
Install a new ball joint and reassemble the suspension. Installation and assembly is the reverse of removal.