Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Wheel Knuckle













Removal

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.

NOTICE: Do not tighten the wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground. Tighten the nut to specification before the vehicle is lowered onto the wheels. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is loaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

NOTICE: Install and tighten the new wheel hub nut to specification in a continuous rotation. Always install a new wheel hub nut after loosening or when not tightened to specification in a continuous rotation or damage to the component may occur.

1. Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.

NOTE: Apply the brake to prevent the halfshaft from rotating while loosening the wheel hub nut.

2. Remove and discard the wheel hub nut.





3. Remove the brake flexible hose bracket bolt and disconnect the brake flexible hose from the strut and spring assembly.





NOTICE: Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the brake hose or damage to the brake hose can occur.

4. Remove the 2 brake caliper anchor plate bolts and position the brake caliper assembly aside.
- Support the brake caliper assembly using mechanic's wire.

5. Remove the brake disc.

6. If equipped with Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), remove the wheel speed sensor bolt and position the wheel speed sensor aside.

NOTICE: Do not remove the tie-rod end nut or damage to the tie-rod end may occur.

7. Loosen the tie-rod end nut.

8. Using the Tie-Rod End Remover, detach the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.
- Remove and discard the tie-rod end nut.





NOTICE: Do not use a prying device or separator fork between the ball joint and the wheel knuckle. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may result. Only use the pry bar by inserting it into the lower arm body opening.

NOTICE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and wheel knuckle into the resting position or damage to the ball joint seal may occur.

9. Remove and discard the ball joint nut and bolt. Using a pry bar, separate the ball joint stud from the wheel knuckle.

10. NOTICE: Do not bend the inner joint more than 18 degrees or the outer joint more than 45 degrees. Damage to the halfshaft will occur.

Using the Front Wheel Hub Remover, press the halfshaft from the wheel hub and detach the halfshaft from the wheel hub

- Support the halfshaft.





11. Remove and discard the wheel knuckle-to-strut nuts and bolts.

12. Remove the wheel knuckle.

Installation

1. Position the wheel knuckle and install new wheel knuckle-to-strut bolts and nuts.
- Tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft) and then tighten an additional 90 degrees.

2. Insert the halfshaft into the wheel hub.

3. Insert the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle and install the new ball joint bolt and nut.
- Tighten to 52 Nm (38 lb-ft).

4. Attach the tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install a new tie-rod end nut.
- Tighten to 53 Nm (39 lb-ft).

5. If equipped with ABS, position the wheel speed sensor and install the wheel speed sensor bolt.
- Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).

6. Install the brake disc.

7. Position the brake caliper assembly and install the 2 brake caliper anchor plate bolts.
- Tighten to 68 Nm (50 lb-ft).

8. Connect the brake flexible hose to the strut and spring assembly and install the brake flexible hose bracket bolt.
- Tighten to 26 Nm (19 lb-ft).

9. NOTICE: Do not tighten the wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground. Tighten the nut to specification before the vehicle is lowered onto the wheels. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is loaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

NOTICE: Install and tighten the new wheel hub nut to specification in a continuous rotation. Always install a new wheel hub nut after loosening or when not tightened to specification in a continuous rotation, or damage to the components may occur.

NOTE: Apply the brake to prevent the halfshaft from rotating while tightening the wheel hub nut.

Install a new wheel hub nut.

- Tighten to 255 Nm (188 lb-ft).

10. Install the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.