Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair
Wheel Knuckle
Removal
NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure correct retention of these parts.
1. Loosen the 3 strut upper nuts 5 turns.
2. Remove the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.
3. Remove and discard the wheel hub nut.
4. Remove the brake hose retainer.
5. NOTICE: Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.
Remove the 2 brake caliper guide pin bolts and position the caliper assembly aside.
- Support the caliper assembly using mechanic's wire.
6. Remove the brake disc.
7. If equipped with ABS, remove the wheel speed sensor bolt and position the sensor aside.
8. NOTICE: Leave the tie-rod end nut in place or damage to the tie-rod end may occur.
Loosen the tie-rod end nut.
9. Using the Tie-Rod End Remover, detach the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.
- Remove and discard the tie-rod end nut.
10. 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.
Remove and discard the ball joint nut and bolt.
- Insert a pry bar in the lower arm body opening and separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
11. NOTICE: The inner joint must not be bent more than 18 degrees. The outer joint must not be bent more than 45 degrees. Damage to the halfshaft will occur.
Using the Front Wheel Hub Remover, press out the halfshaft from the wheel hub and detach the halfshaft from the wheel hub.
- Support the halfshaft.
12. Remove and discard the wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt.
13. Remove the wheel knuckle.
Installation
1. Position the wheel knuckle and install a new wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt.
- Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
2. Insert the halfshaft into the wheel hub.
3. NOTICE: Make sure the ball joint heat shield is installed on the ball joint stud or damage to the ball joint may occur.
Insert the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle and install a new bolt and nut.
- Tighten to 63 Nm (46 lb-ft).
4. Attach the tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install a new nut.
- Tighten to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
5. If equipped with ABS, position the wheel speed sensor and install the bolt.
- Tighten to 9 Nm (80 lb-in).
6. Install the brake disc.
7. Position the caliper assembly and install the 2 brake caliper guide pin bolts.
- Tighten to 27 Nm (20 lb-ft).
8. Install the brake hose retainer.
9. Tighten the 3 strut upper nuts to 35 Nm (26 lb-ft).
10. Using the Halfshaft Installer, install the halfshaft into the wheel hub.
11. NOTICE: Do not tighten the wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground. The nut must be tightened 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.
NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.
Install the new wheel hub nut.
- Tighten to 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) in a continuous rotation.
12. Install the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.