How to change rear ball joints on 2002 dodge stratus

SOURCE: lower ball joint removal how to

1. Remove the steering knuckle with wheel hub and bearing attached.
2. Remove the lower ball joint flange with a chisel.
3. Install J9519-E and J34874 to the lower ball joint.
4. Remove the lower ball joint from the lower control arm using J9519-E and J34874

1. Install the lower ball joint and J9519-E, J41435, and J45105-2 to the lower control arm.
2. Install the lower ball joint to the lower control arm using J9519-E, J41435, and J45105-2.
3. Remove J9519-E, J41435, and J45105-2 from the lower control arm
1. Install J9519-E and J45105-1 to the lower ball joint.
2. Flare the lower ball joint flange using J9519-E and J45105-1.
3. Remove J9519-E and J45105-1 from the lower ball joint.
4. Install the steering knuckle with wheel hub and bearing attached. Install the tire and wheel.
1. Lower the vehicle.
2. Check the front wheel alignment.

Jeremiah Meyer

• 204 Answers
• Posted on Jan 08, 2009

SOURCE: 2002 dodge stratus 2.4L dohc water pump and timing instructions

This procedure is wayyyy to long to list on here. Your better off going to your local auto parts store and buying a repair manual for your car. It will have both detailed procedures for fixing both of your items. You can also goto the library and get the factory service manual for free. Good luck to you and thanks for using fixya!

Sincerely,

jC

SOURCE: Upper and lower ball joint replacement

to remove the axles, remove brake caliper and disc, remove hub assembly, the center hub/axle nut and...(there are i think 3-4 bolts on the back side of the spindle to remove the hub), you may have to force the hub off the spindle with a hammer or air hammer... once the hub is out the axle should slide out of the front differential allowing access to the ball joint nuts for removal...

SOURCE: replacing serpentine belt 2002 dodge stratus

Did this on my 2002 Stratus 2.4L. I agree with other poster, you do have to remove the passenger tire and wheel wall to do it, but the tensioner travels clockwise.
Note: I offer this solely as a description of how I accomplished the task on my vehicle. It should not be taken as me advising anyone else in any way on how or whether they manage to repair their own vehicles.

1) Engaged parking brake, loosened lugs on passenger front tire.
2) Jacked-up and placed jack-stand.
3) Removed piece of black under-carriage which surrounds the oil filter and attaches to front bumper. There are at least 10 plastic push-pins to remove and I managed to destroy half of them in the process.
4) Positoned belt over lower pulleys and tensioner (as best as possible) then used a bungee to hold the top end of belt up while I worked under the car.
5) Used a 3/8 ratchet and inserted into square hole attached to the tensioner, disengaged the tensioner (moves clockwise) then used a brace to keep the ratchet handle in that position.
6) From top, removed bungee and finished placing belt over alternator, checked the position of entire belt, reengaged the tensioner, and replaced wall and wheel.

SOURCE: how to remove CV Joints on a dodge stratus

REMOVE your whelland tire on the side that you want to make to fix, removed your brake caliper and attach it with a piece of wire to the suspention strut ,remove the part that hold the caliper,remove the bolt or the nut that hold the lower balljoint in your lower suspention arm to your stering kuckle,and separate those two parts with a long pry-bar or a suspention fork and hammer,remove your disc brake,loose the spindle nut from the axle(this big nut is in the center of whell and if you are not working witch an air impact tool loose it right after removing your whell cap before removing the whell this is a high torque on it be sure to tight it correcly when yuo ins tall it)and pull the suspension strut foward you to removed the axle from the stering kuckle take apry-bar put it betwen the transmission and axle and pry it out some trans mission fluid may leak installation is reverse.