Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Front Knuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing Replacement

Exploded View





Special Tools Required

- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
- Ball Joint Remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 14 mm 071AF-S3VA000
- Hub Dis/Assembly Pin, 42mm 07GAF-SD4A100
- Attachment, 72 x 75 mm 07746-0010600
- Driver Handle, 15 x 135L 07749-0010000
- Support Base 07965-SD90100
- Oil Seal Driver Attachment, 96 mm 07ZAD-PNA0100

1. Raise the vehicle Service and Repair.

2. Remove the wheel nuts (A) and the front wheel.






3. Remove the brake hose mounting bolt (A) from the damper.





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 the 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. Raise the stake (A), then remove the spindle nut (B).






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 loosen 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 end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover Ball Joint Removal.

11. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).

NOTE: During installation, install the lock pin as shown after tightening the new castle nut.





12. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover Ball Joint Removal.

NOTE:

- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.
- Do not force or hammer on the lower arm, or pry between the lower arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.

13. Remove the damper pinch bolts (A) and the flange nuts (B) from the damper.

NOTE: During installation, install new damper pinch bolts and new flange nuts.





14. Remove the driveshaft outboard joint (C) from the knuckle (D) by tapping the driveshaft end (E) with a soft face hammer while drawing the hub outward, then remove the knuckle.

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 the driveshaft outboard joint Driveshaft Installation.

15. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool 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.






16. Remove the snap ring (A) and the splash guard (B) from the knuckle (C).






17. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the attachment, the driver handle, and a press.






18. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) from the hub (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool, a commercially available bearing separator (C), and a press.





19. Wash the knuckle and the hub thoroughly in high flash point solvent before reassembly.

20. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the oil seal driver attachment, the support base, and a press.

NOTE:

- Install the wheel bearing with the wheel speed sensor magnetic encoder (black color), toward the inside on 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 magnetic encoder surface when you insert the wheel bearing.





21. Install the new snap ring (A) securely in the knuckle (B).





22. Install the splash guard (C), and tighten the screws (D) to the specified torque.

23. 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).






24. Install the knuckle in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:

- First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and the nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque.
- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
- Before connecting the lower arm ball joint to the knuckle, degrease the threaded section and the tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, the threaded section and the mating surfaces of the castle nut.
- 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.
- Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surfaces of the front hub and the inside of the brake disc.
- 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 wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.

25. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.