Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair
Front Knuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing Replacement
Exploded View
Special Tools Required
- Ball Joint Remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
- Ball Joint Puller 07AAC-SJCA120
- Ball Joint Thread Protector,14mm 07AAC-SJCA200
- Hub Dis/Assembly Pin, 42 mm 07GAF-SD4A100
- Driver Handle, 15 x 135L 07749-0010000
- Bearing Driver Attachment, 72 x 75 mm 07746-0010600
- Support Base 07965-SD90100
- Attachment, 96 mm 07948-SB00101
Knuckle/Hub Replacement
1. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.
2. Remove the wheel nuts (A) and the front wheel.
3. Remove the brake hose mounting bolt (A).
4. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (B), then remove the caliper assembly (C) from the knuckle. To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper assembly from the undercarriage. Do not twist the brake hose excessively.
5. Remove the wheel speed sensor (A) from the knuckle (B). Do not disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.
6. Pry up the stake (A) on the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut.
7. Remove the front brake disc Front Brake Disc Replacement.
8. Check the front hub for damage and cracks.
9. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball joint, then remove the nut (B).
NOTE: During installation, install the new cotter pin after tightening the nut, and bend its end as shown.
10. Disconnect the tie-rod ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover.
11. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint, then remove the nut (B).
NOTE: During installation, install the new lock pin after tightening the new castle nut.
12. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the knuckle using the 14 mm ball joint thread protector and the ball joint puller.
13. Remove the damper pinch bolts (A) and flange nuts (B) from the damper.
NOTE: During installation, install the new damper pinch bolts and new flange nuts.
14. Pull the knuckle (C) outward, and separate the outboard joint (D) from the front hub using a soft face hammer then remove the knuckle/hub.
NOTE:
- Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The driveshaft inboard joint may come apart.
- During installation, apply grease to the mating surfaces of the wheel bearing and driveshaft outboard joint.
15. Install the knuckle/hub in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the knuckle.
- Tighten all mounting hardware to the specified torque.
- Before connecting the lower ball joint to the knuckle, degrease the threaded section and tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the lower arm connecting hole, the threaded section and mating surface of the castle nut.
- First install all the components and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque.
- Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.
- Use a new spindle nut on reassembly.
- Before installing the spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the driveshaft.
- Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surface of the front hub and the inside of the brake disc.
- Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
16. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.
Wheel Bearing Replacement
1. Remove the knuckle/hub.
2. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the hub dis/assembly pin and a hydraulic press. Hold the knuckle with the attachment (C) of the hydraulic press or equivalent tool. Be careful not to damage or deform the splash guard (D). Hold onto the hub to keep it from falling when pressed clear.
3. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) off of the hub (B) using the hub dis/assembly pin, a commercially available bearing separator (C), and a press.
4. Remove the splash guard (A) and the snap ring (B) from the knuckle (C).
5. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the attachment, the driver handle, and a press.
6. Wash the knuckle and hub thoroughly in high flash point solvent before reassembly.
7. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the 96 mm attachment, the support base, and a press.
NOTE:
- Install the wheel bearing with the wheel speed sensor magnetic encoder (brown color) (E), toward the inside of the knuckle.
- Remove any oil, grease, dust, metal debris, and other foreign material from the magnetic encoder surface.
- Keep any magnetic tools away from the magnetic encoder surface.
- Be careful not to damage the encoder surface when you insert the wheel bearing.
8. Install the snap ring (A) securely in the knuckle (B).
9. Install the splash guard (C), and tighten the screws (D) to the specified torque.
10. Install the hub (A) onto the knuckle (B) using the attachment, the driver handle, the support base, and a hydraulic press. Be careful not to damage the splash guard (C).
11. Install the knuckle/hub.