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 of correct retention of these parts.
1. Loosen the 3 upper strut mount 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 clip.
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 anchor plate bolts and position the caliper and anchor plate assembly aside.
- Support the caliper assembly using mechanic's wire.
6. Remove the brake disc.
7. 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 Ball Joint Separator and Adapter, disconnect the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.
- Remove and discard the tie-rod end nut.
10. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature when removing or installing the lower ball joint nut.
Remove and discard the ball joint nut.
11. 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.
Using the Ball Joint Separator and Adapter, separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
12. NOTICE: The inner Constant Velocity (CV) joint must not be bent more than 18 degrees and the outer CV joint must not be bent more than 45 degrees or damage to the halfshaft may 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.
13. Remove and discard the wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt.
14. Remove the wheel knuckle.
Installation
1. NOTICE: The wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt is tightened in 2 stages. Failure to follow these instructions may result in incorrect clamp load and component damage.
Position the wheel knuckle and install a new wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
2. Insert the halfshaft into the wheel hub.
3. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature when removing or installing the lower ball joint nut.
Insert the ball joint into the lower arm and install a new nut.
- Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).
4. Attach the tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install a new nut.
- Tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).
5. 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 and anchor plate assembly and install the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 133 Nm (98 lb-ft).
8. Install the brake hose retainer clip.
9. Tighten the 3 upper strut mount nuts to 25 Nm (18 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 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) in a continuous rotation.
12. Install the wheel and tire. For additional information, refer to Wheels and Tires Removal and Replacement.