Removal

1. Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a frame contact type hoist.





2. Remove the cotter pin and nut lock from the end of the stub axle.
3. Remove the wheel and tire assembly from the vehicle.





4. Remove the wave washer from the end of the stub axle.

CAUTION: Wheel bearing damage will result if after loosening hub nut, vehicle is rolled on the ground or the weight of the vehicle is allowed to be supported by the tires.

5. With the vehicle's brakes applied to keep hub from turning, loosen and remove the stub axle to hub nut.





6. Remove the 2 front disc brake caliper to steering knuckle attaching bolts.





7. Remove the disc brake caliper from the steering knuckle. Caliper is removed by first rotating top of caliper away from steering knuckle and then removing bottom of caliper out from under machined abutment on steering knuckle.





8. Support disc brake caliper assembly by using a wire hook and suspending it from the strut assembly. Do not allow the brake caliper assembly to hang by the brake flex hose.





9. Remove the brake rotor from the hub and bearing assembly.





10. Remove nut attaching outer tie rod end to steering knuckle. Nut is to be removed from tie rod end using the following procedure, hold tie rod end stud with a 11/32 socket while loosening and removing nut with a wrench.

Tie Rod End Removal From Steering Knuckle Arm:

11. Remove the tie rod end from steering knuckle using Remover, Special Tool MB-991113, or equivalent.





12. Remove the front wheel speed sensor from the steering knuckle.





13. If equipped, remove the wheel stop from the steering knuckle. When installing the pinch bolt when assembling the steering knuckle to the ball joint, the pinch bolt must be installed from the rear facing the front on the vehicle.





14. Remove the steering knuckle to ball joint stud, clamping nut and bolt from the steering knuckle.





15. Using a pry bar, separate steering knuckle from ball joint stud. Note: Use caution when separating ball joint stud from steering knuckle, so ball joint seal does not get cut.

NOTE: Care must be taken not to separate the inner C/V joint during this operation. Do not allow driveshaft to hang by inner C/V joint after removing outer C/V Joint from the hub/bearing assembly in steering knuckle, end of driveshaft must be supported.





16. Pull steering knuckle assembly out and away from the outer C/V joint of the driveshaft assembly.

CAUTION: The steering knuckle to strut assembly attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned during removal. Remove nuts while holding bolts stationary in the steering knuckles.





17. Remove the 2 steering knuckle to strut damper clevis bracket attaching bolts.
18. Remove the steering knuckle from the strut.