Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair
REMOVAL PROCEDURE- Tools Required
- J43828 Ball Joint Separator
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.
1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the wheel bearing and hub. Refer to Wheel Bearing/Hub Replacement- Front.
4. Remove ball joint cotter pin (1) and nut (2).
5. Use J43828 in order to remove the ball Joint from the steering knuckle.
Notice: Care must be exercised to prevent Tri-Pot joints from being over-extended. When either end of the shaft is disconnected, over-extension of the joint could result in separation of internal components and possible joint failure. Drive axle joint seal protectors should be used any time service is performed on or near the drive axles. Failure to observe this can result in interior joint or seal damage and possible joint failures.
6. Scribe the steering knuckle to the strut. Refer to Strut and Knuckle Scribing.
7. Remove the strut to knuckle bolts (3) and the nuts (1) in order to separate the strut from the steering knuckle (2).
Important: The bolts are serrated at the top DO NOT ROTATE.
8. Remove the steering knuckle.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Install the steering knuckle on the ball joint stud.
2. Install the ball joint nut.
Tighten the ball joint nut (2) to 10 Nm (88 inch lbs.). Then tighten the nut two flats to a minimum of 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.) in order to align the cotter pin slot.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
3. Install the strut to knuckle bolts (3) and nuts (2) aligning the strut and knuckle to the scribe marks made in the removal procedure.
Tighten the strut to knuckle nuts to 185 Nm (136 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the wheel bearing and hub. Refer to Wheel Bearing/Hub Replacement- Front.
5. Install the wheel and tire.
Tighten the wheel nuts to 140 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).
6. Lower the vehicle.