Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Wheel Knuckle

Special Tool(s):

Removal

CAUTION: 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. Remove the wheel and tire.

2. NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.

Remove the halfshaft nut, halfshaft hub seal and halfshaft washer.
^ Discard the nut, seal and washer.
3. Remove the wheel speed sensor bolt and position the wheel speed sensor aside.

4. CAUTION: Do not allow the caliper and anchor plate assembly to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.

Remove the 2 bolts and position the caliper and anchor plate assembly aside.
^ Support the caliper and anchor plate assembly using mechanic's wire.
5. Remove the brake disc.
6. Using the special tool, separate the halfshaft from the wheel hub.





7. Remove and discard the tie-rod end cotter pin and nut.

8. CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle can result.

Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.





9. Remove the shock absorber lower nuts and flag bolts.
^ Discard the nuts and flag bolts.
10. Remove the lower ball joint bolt, nut and the wheel knuckle.
^ Discard the bolt and nut.

Installation
1. Position the wheel knuckle and install the lower ball joint bolt and nut.
^ Tighten the nut to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).
2. Install the shock absorber lower nuts and flag bolts.
^ Tighten to 225 Nm (166 lb-ft).
3. Position the tie-rod end and install the nut and cotter pin.
^ Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
4. Position the wheel speed sensor and install the bolt.
^ Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
5. Install the brake disc.
6. Position the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly and install the 2 bolts.
^ Tighten to 133 Nm (98 lb-ft).
7. Using a suitable installation tool, install the halfshaft into the wheel hub.

8. CAUTION: Do not tighten the halfshaft 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.

NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.

Install the halfshaft hub seal, washer and nut.
^ Tighten to 275 Nm (203 lb-ft).
9. Install the wheel and tire.
10. Check and, if necessary, align the front end.