How to Replace Lower Ball Joint 2000-17 Subaru Outback

1. step 1 :Removing the Wheel 0:06

   • Loosen the 19 mm lug nuts with the vehicle on the ground
   • Raise the vehicle with a floor jack
   • Secure the vehicle on jack stands
   • Remove the lug nuts
   • Pull off the wheel

2. step 2 :Removing the Front Lower Ball Joint 1:50

   • Loosen but don't remove the pinch nut that secures the ball joint at the base of the knuckle
   • Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint stud
   • Remove the 19 mm ball joint stud castle nut'
   • Loosen the ball joint stud from the lower control arm using a hammer and pickle fork as necessary
   • Replace the ball joint stud castle nut
   • Remove the 14 mm ball joint pinch nut
   • Use a pry bar to separate the slot in the lower knuckle
   • Hammer down on the lower control arm to pull the ball joint from the knuckle, using a punch or pry bar as necessary
   • Remove the ball joint stud castle nut
   • Pry the lower control arm down with a pry bar
   • Remove the ball joint

3. step 3 :Installing the Front Lower Ball Joint 16:41

   • Clean out the ball joint cavity in the knuckle using a wire brush and parts cleaner
   • Spray the ball joint cavity in the knuckle with copper antiseize
   • Install the ball joint into the lower control arm
   • Tighten the 18 mm castle nut on the the ball joint stud
   • Pull down the lower control arm with a pry bar
   • Insert the ball joint into the knuckle
   • Hammer up on the lower control arm to fully seat the ball joint into the knuckle
   • Insert the 14 mm pinch bolt
   • Torque the 14 mm pinch bolt to 37 ft-lb
   • Torque the 18 mm ball joint stud castle nut to 29 ft-lb
   • If the cotter pin slot does not line up, tighten it further until it does
   • Insert the cotter pin through the castle nut and lower ball joint stud
   • Peen over the cotter pin

4. step 4 :Reinstalling the Wheel 22:28

   • Slide the wheel into place
   • Start the lug nuts by hand
   • Tighten the 19 mm lug nuts preliminarily
   • Lower the vehicle partially to the ground
   • Tighten the lug nuts to 85 ft-lb in a star pattern
   • Lower the vehicle completely

Tools needed

• Socket Extensions

  Torque Wrench

  14mm Socket

  Rust Penetrant

  Pry Bar

  Jack Stands

  18mm Socket

  19mm Socket

  Pliers

  Pickle Fork

  Copper Anti-Seize

  Ratchet

  Floor Jack

  1/2 Inch Breaker Bar