Rear Knuckle: Service and Repair

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Remove front drive axle as outlined. Retain bearing spacers for use during reassembly.
2. Remove front brake assembly from hub, then using suitable puller, disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle.
3. Disconnect steering knuckle from strut, then remove knuckle and hub as an assembly.
4. Reverse procedure to install. After installing brake assembly, bleed brake system.

DISASSEMBLY

1. On 1984 models except Colt turbo, remove hub assembly and inner bearing inner race from steering knuckle. It may be necessary to position steering knuckle in a vise and drive hub from knuckle using a soft faced mallet.
2. On 1984 Colt Turbo and all 1985-88 models, remove hub assembly from knuckle using tool No. MB990998 and knuckle arm bridge tool No. MB991001. Do not strike hub and knuckle with a hammer or damage to bearing may result.
3. On 1984 models except Colt Turbo, remove hub bearing spacer.
4. On all models, remove disc brake rotor from hub.
5. Remove outer bearing inner race using a suitable drift, then the inner and outer oil seals.
6. Remove bearing outer races using a suitable drift, then inspect bearings, hub, races and steering hub for wear and damage.
7. Ensure proper fit of knuckle to outer race and hub to inner race and replace as necessary.




ASSEMBLY




1984 Exc. Colt Turbo

1. Using a hammer and suitable drift, install inner and outer bearing outer races onto steering knuckle.



2. Select the proper front wheel bearing preload spacer as follows:
a. Position tool No. MB990959 and dial indicator to steering knuckle, then tighten tool nuts finger tight.

Fig. 14 Determining front wheel bearing preload. Colt:

b. Tighten nut B, approximately 5 turns, then rotate tool several turns to seat bearings.
c. Zero dial indicator, then loosen nut B, until dial indicator needle stops, and note reading.

Fig. 15 Front wheel bearing preload spacer selection chart. 1984 Colt:

d. Select the proper spacer. Tool No. MB990959 incorporates a dummy spacer finished to a thickness of 5 mm.
3. Remove tool No. MB990959, dial indicator and bearing inner races from steering knuckle.
4. Apply lubricant No. 2525035 or equivalent to steering knuckle inside wall surfaces, bearing and races and oil seal lips.
5. Position disc brake rotor to hub, then install attaching bolts and torque alternately and evenly to 29-36 ft. lbs.
6. Using tool Nos. DT-1007-D and C-4171, install outer seal.
7. Support outer bearing inner race with tool No. MB990776-A, then press hub assembly onto steering knuckle.
8. Insert selected spacer into steering knuckle. Then press inner bearing into hub in the same manner as described in previous step.
9. Using tools Nos. DT-1007-D and C-4171, install inner oil seal.




1984 Colt Turbo & 1985-88 All

1. Lubricate outside surface of bearing outer races using a suitable lubricant, then install inner and outer bearing outer races into knuckle using a suitable drift.
2. Lubricate knuckle, oil seals and bearings using a suitable lubricant, then install hub and brake disc. Torque attaching bolts to 36-43 ft. lbs.
3. Place outside bearing inner race on outer race, then install outside oil seal using seal installer tool. Pressure required to install oil seal is 880 lbs.
4. Install inner bearing into knuckle. Torque hub and knuckle to 145-188 ft. lbs.
5. Install tool No. MB990998, then measure hub bearing starting torque. Starting torque should be 18.2 inch lbs. on 1984 models or, 11.3 or less inch lbs. on 1985-88 models. Endplay should be 0.005 inch on 1984 models or 0.008 inch on 1985-88 models. If bearing preload or axial endplay specifications cannot be obtained, recheck assembly of bearing, knuckle and hub.
6. Remove tool No. MB990998, then install inside oil seal.
7. Reverse removal procedure, noting the following:
a. Torque drive axle nut to 145 to 188 ft. lbs.
b. Torque knuckle to strut attaching bolts to 54 to 65 ft. lbs.
c. Torque lower arm to ball joint nut to 69 to 87 ft. lbs.
d. Torque lower arm to strut bar nut to 69 to 87 ft. lbs.
e. Torque knuckle to tie rod attaching bolts to 11 to 25 ft. lbs.
f. Measure brake disc runout.