Rear Knuckle: Service and Repair

Wheel Knuckle-Cobra





Special Tool(s)

Removal

CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be installed if installation becomes necessary. If substitution is necessary, the part must be of the same finish and property class. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.





1. Mark the rear shock absorber relative to the protective sleeve with the vehicle in a static, level ground position (curb height).
2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
3. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.





4. Remove and discard the rear hub retainer.





5. Disconnect the parking brake cable and conduit from the parking brake lever.





6. Remove the clip and disconnect the parking brake cable and conduit from the rear brake caliper.





7. Disconnect the parking brake cable and conduit from the knuckle.
8. Remove the rear brake disc.
9. Support the lower suspension arm and bushing with a jack stand.





10. Remove the nut and bolt and disconnect the shock absorber from the lower suspension arm and bushing. Discard the nut and bolt.





11. Remove and discard the cotter pin and nut.





12. CAUTION: Do not strike the toe link or the knuckle to disconnect the toe link. The toe link or the knuckle can be damaged.

Using the special tool, disconnect the toe link from the knuckle.





13. Mark the cam bolt position relative to the upper suspension arm and bushing.





14. NOTE: Mark a new cam bolt in the same position as the old one for assembly reference before discarding the old bolt.

Disconnect the upper suspension arm and bushing from the knuckle.
1 Remove and discard the nut and bolt.
2 Disconnect the arm and bushing from the knuckle.





15. Using the special tool, press the axle shaft from the hub.





16. Remove the knuckle from the lower arm and bushing.
1 Remove and discard the nut and bolt.
2 Remove the knuckle.
17. Remove the dust shield, hub, snap ring and bearing from the knuckle.

Installation
1. Install the bearing, snap ring, hub and dust shield.





2. Install the knuckle.
1 Position the knuckle on the lower suspension arm and bushing.
2 Install a new bolt and a new nut. Do not tighten the nut at this time.





3. Connect the axle shaft to the hub.
1 Making sure the splines on the shaft line up with the splines in the hub, install the axle shaft into the hub.
2 Install a new retainer. Do not tighten the retainer at this time.





4. Connect the upper suspension arm and bushing to the knuckle.
1 Position the upper suspension arm and bushing on the knuckle.
2 Install a new cam bolt and a new nut. Do not tighten the nut at this time.





5. Connect the toe link to the knuckle.
1 Position the toe link in the knuckle.
2 Install a new nut.
3 Install a new cotter pin.





6. CAUTION: Make sure the hardened washer is installed between the lower suspension arm and bushing and the shock absorber. Failure to do so can result in damage and failure of the lower suspension arm and bushing.

Connect the shock absorber to the lower suspension arm and bushing and install the bolt and a new nut.





7. Raise the suspension until the shock absorber is compressed to the previously established alignment mark (curb height).





8. Tighten the nut.





9. Make sure the marks on the cam bolt and the upper suspension arm and bushing made during removal are aligned, and tighten the nut.
10. Lower the suspension and remove the jack stand.
11. Install the rear brake disc.





12. Install the parking brake cable and conduit into the knuckle.





13. Connect the parking brake cable and conduit to the rear brake caliper and install the clip.





14. Connect the parking brake cable and conduit to the parking brake lever.

15. CAUTION: The axle retainer must be tightened with the brakes applied and the wheels off the ground to make sure of correct bearing seating. Failure to do so can cause the retainer to loosen, causing extensive vehicle damage and loss of vehicle control.

Lower the vehicle and apply the parking brake or service brakes.





16. Tighten the retainer.
17. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
18. Lower the vehicle.
19. Check the wheel alignment. Adjust as necessary.