IS THE BALL JOINT ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON A 20O7 DODGE CARAVAN 3.3 LITER REPLACEABLE. THE HAYNES MANUAL SAID THE THE BALL JOINT IS NOT REPLACEABLE THE ENTIRE CONTROL ARM HAS TO BE REPLACED

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RTM
read the manual , we just log in and read.

Lower you can do fairly easy. Upper, a bit tougher.For the upper you will need a spring compressor.

Remove the lower ball joint and the 2 bolts that attach the control arm to the frame.

This Utube video should be helpful.

How to change lower control arm on dodge caravan

Bob

The lower ball joint is not replaceable, if the ball joint is defective the lower control arm or transverse link must be replace

the lower ball joint is pressed into the lower control arm. You will need a ball joint press to remove and install the ball joint. The other option is to replace the lower control arm.

Some parts store will have presses for loan. You will have to check around and see if any in your area have these. If you can't find one you could always pull the control arm and bring it to a shop or machine shop and have them swap the ball joint.

Its a pretty simple procedure.

1. remove the wheel
2. remove the pinch bolt that secures the knuckle to the ball joint.
3. separate the lower control arm from the knuckle.
4. remove snap ring from the ball joint (if it has one)
5. use a ball joint press to press out the old ball joint.
6. press in the new ball joint.

if you don't have a press than you can remove the lower control arm by following steps 1-3 above. then remove the bolt from the front bushing. Remove the stamped steel skid pan from the sub frame. Remove the rear lower control arm bushing mounting bolts.

If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer them.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement Removal Procedure Tools Required J 43828 Ball Joint Separator

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
4. Remove the wiring harness from the lower control arm.




5. Remove the cotter pin (1) from the ball joint (3).
6. Remove the nut (4) from the ball joint (3).



Notice: Use only the recommended tools for separating the ball joint from the knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

7. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle using the J 43828 .




8. Remove the lower control arm front (1) and rear (4) mounting bolts.
9. Remove the lower control arm (1) from the vehicle and place in a vice.
10. Drill out the 3 rivets (3) retaining the ball joint to the lower control arm (2).
Use a 3 mm (1/8 in) drill bit in order to make a pilot hole through the rivets.
Finish drilling the rivets with a 13 mm (½ in) drill bit.

11. Remove the ball joint (4) from the control arm (2).

Installation Procedure

1. Install the ball joint (4) into the control arm (2).
2. Install the 3 ball joint bolts (3) and the nuts (1). Follow the instructions in the ball joint kit. Tighten the ball joint bolts (3) according to the specifications in the instructions.




3. Install the lower control arm (2) to the front suspension support (1)
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

4. Install the lower control arm front (5) and rear (4) mounting bolts.
Tighten • Tighten the front bolt to 107 N·m (79 lb ft). • Tighten the rear bolt to 110 N·m (81 lb ft).



5. Install the lower ball joint stud (3) to the steering knuckle (2).
6. Install the ball joint stud (3) through the steering knuckle (2).
7. Install the ball joint nut (4).
Tighten
Tighten the ball joint nut to 55 N·m (41 lb ft) plus 180 degree rotation minimum-65 N·m (50 lb ft) plus 180 degree rotation maximum to install the cotter pin.

8. Install the wiring harness to the lower control arm.
9. Install the cotter pin (1).
10. Install the stabilizer link to the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .
11. Install the tire and wheel assemblies. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
12. Inspect the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.

To perform the following procedure, the lower control arm must be removed from the vehicle. Refer to Removal And Installation for that procedure.

1. Using a screw driver or other suitable tool, pry the seal boot off of the ball joint assembly
2. Position receiving cup, Special Tool 6758 to support lower control arm when removing ball joint assembly. Install Remover, Special Tool 6919 on the top of the ball joint assembly.
3. Using the arbor press, press the ball joint assembly completely out of the lower control arm.

NOTE: When installing ball joint in lower control arm, position the ball joint in control arm so notch in ball joint stud is in the direction shown. This will ease assembly of the ball joint to the steering when installing pinch bolt.

1. By hand, position ball joint into ball joint bore of lower control arm. Be sure ball joint is not cocked in the bore of the control arm, this will cause the ball joint to bind when being pressed into control arm.

 

1. Position control arm with installed ball joint, in an arbor press with Receiving Cup, Special Tool 6758 supporting the lower control arm. Then center Installer, Special Tool 6908-4 on the bottom of the ball joint
2. Carefully align all pieces. Then press the ball joint into the lower control arm until it is completely seated against surface of lower control arm. The ball joint is correctly installed when there is no gap between the ball joint and the lower control arm. Do not apply excessive force against the ball joint or the lower control arm.
3. Install a NEW seal boot by hand as far as possible on the ball joint. Installation of the seal boot is to be with the shield positioned as shown.

CAUTION: Do not use an arbor press to install the sealing boot on the ball joint. Damage to the sealing boot will occur if excessive pressure is applied to the sealing boot when it is being installed.

1. Place Installer, Special Tool 6758 over seal boot and squarely align it with bottom edge of seal boot. Apply hand pressure to Special Tool 6758 until seal boot is pressed squarely against top surface of lower control arm.

CAUTION: A replacement ball joint is not pre-lubricated. Properly lubricate the replacement ball joint using Mopar Multi-Mile grease or an equivalent. Lubricate ball joint after seal boot is installed but prior to top of seal boot being pushed down below notch in ball joint stud. Air must vent out of the seal boot at notch when grease is pumped into ball joint, failure to do so will balloon and damage seal boot. Do not over grease the ball joint, this will prevent the seal boot from pushing down on the stud of the ball joint.

CAUTION: After the ball joint is properly greased, clip the end of the grease fleeing off below the hex. The ball joint seal boot is non-purgeable and further greasing is not required and can result in damage to the seal boot.

1. Reinstall lower control arm on vehicle.

Very simple...I don't have my Chilton's in front of me but I can tell you the easiest way to know is to look UNDER the ball joint. If you don't see screws or rivits....it is pressed in. Looking at replacement parts....it is pressed.

You can replace it yourself if you have a ball joint press...or, take it to NAPA or similar store that presses joints....but you have to remove the lower control arm and take it in. That can be the cheapest route also.....saves A LOT from labor from the garage mechanics!!!!!

Don't forget to rate please!!!!