Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Wheel Knuckle

Special Tool(s):

Material:

Removal
1. Remove the wheel bearing and wheel hub.
2. Using a drift, drive the axle shaft main seal out of the wheel knuckle.





3. If equipped, disconnect the pulse vacuum hub (PVH) hose.
4. Remove the axle shaft and main seal.





5. Remove the cotter pin and the tie-rod end nut.
^ Discard the cotter pin.
6. If removing the RH wheel knuckle, using the special tool, disconnect the RH tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.





7. If removing the LH wheel knuckle, using the special tool, disconnect the LH tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.





8. Remove the upper ball joint cotter pin and nut.
^ Discard the cotter pin.
9. Loosen, but do not remove, the lower ball joint nut.

10. CAUTION: To prevent damage to the ball joint seal and the ball joint socket, do not use a pickle fork-type remover to loosen the ball joints.

Strike the lower and upper end of the axle to loosen the ball joints and the camber adjustment sleeve.





11. Using the special tool, remove the camber adjuster.





12. Remove the lower ball joint nut and the wheel knuckle.
13. Clean and inspect the wheel knuckle bore. If the wheel knuckle is cracked, a new one must be installed.

Installation

1. CAUTION: The axle bores and adjustment sleeve contact areas should be clean, allowing for the adjustment sleeve to be correctly drawn in and the ball joint to correctly seat into place. If not clean, damage to the ball joint, adjustment sleeve or axle bores can occur.

Thoroughly clean the axle bore and adjustment sleeve contact areas.
2. Install the camber adjustment sleeve.
3. Position the wheel knuckle onto the axle and install the nut onto the upper ball joint. Do not tighten the nut at this time.
4. Apply Threadlock(R) and sealer to the threads of the lower ball joint and install the nut onto the lower ball joint. Do not tighten the nut at this time.
5. Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 59 Nm (44 ft. lbs.).

6. NOTE: Do not loosen the nut to install the cotter pin.

Tighten the upper ball joint nut to 94 Nm (69 ft. lbs.) and install the cotter pin.
^ If necessary, tighten the nut until the cotter pin can be installed.
7. Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 204 Nm (150 ft. lbs.).
8. Connect the tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install the nut and a new cotter pin.
^ Tighten to 115 Nm (85 ft. lbs.). If necessary, tighten the nut until the cotter pin can be installed.
9. Install the new main seal onto the axle shaft.
1. Position the main seal onto the axle shaft.
2. Using the special tools, seat the main seal onto the axle shaft.





10. CAUTION: The knuckle bore must be clean enough to allow the special tool to seat completely by hand. Do not press or draw the wheel knuckle seal and axle shaft into place or damage to the seal may occur.

NOTE: Do not apply any lubricant to the surface of the wheel knuckle bore.

Position the axle shaft and main seal in to the wheel knuckle and axle housing.

11. NOTE: F-450/F-550 shown, F-250/F-350 similar.

Position the special tool onto the axle shaft and install the snap ring.





12. NOTE: F-450/F-550 shown, F-250/F-350 similar.

Using the special tools, install the wheel knuckle seal and axle shaft.





13. Install the wheel bearing and wheel hub.
14. If equipped, connect the PVH hose.