Front Suspension
Knuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing ReplacementKnuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing:
Special Tools Required
^ Ball joint remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102
^ Ball joint thread protector, 14 mm 071AF-S3VA000
^ Hub dis/assembly tool 07GAF-SD40100
^ Attachment, 72 x 75 mm 07746-0010600
^ Driver 07749-0010000
^ Support base 07965-SD90100
^ Attachment, 96 mm 07948-SB00101
1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the wheel nuts (A) and front wheel.
3. Remove the brake hose mounting bolt (A).
4. Remove the caliper mounting bolts (B), and hang the caliper assembly (C) to one side. To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or the brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper from the undercarriage. Do not twist the brake hose with force.
5. Remove the wheel sensor (A) from the knuckle (B). Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.
6. Raise the stake (A), and then remove the spindle nut (B).
7. Remove the 6 mm brake disc retaining screws (A).
8. Remove the brake disc (B) from the hub.
NOTE: If the brake disc is stuck to the hub, screw two 8 x 1.25 mm bolts (C) into the brake disc to push it away from the hub. Turn each bolt two turns at a time to prevent cocking the disc excessively.
9. Check the front hub for damage and cracks.
10. 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.
11. Disconnect the tie-rod ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover.
12. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint castle nut (B), and remove the nut.
NOTE: During installation, install the lock pin after tightening the new castle nut.
13. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector, and the ball joint remover.
14. Remove the damper pinch bolts (A) and flange nuts (B) from the damper.
NOTE: During installation, install the new damper pinch bolts and new flange nuts.
15. Pull the knuckle outward, and remove the driveshaft outboard joint (C) from the knuckle (D) by tapping the driveshaft end (E) with a plastic hammer, then remove the knuckle.
NOTE:
^ Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The inner driveshaft joint may come apart.
^ During installation, apply grease to the mating surface of the wheel bearing and driveshaft outboard joint.
16. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool and a hydraulic press. Be careful not to distort the splash guard. Hold onto the hub to keep it from falling when pressed clear.
17. Remove the snap ring (A) and the splash guard (B) from the knuckle (C).
18. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the attachment, the driver, and a press.
19. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) from the hub (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool, commercially available bearing separator (C), and a press.
20. Wash the knuckle and hub thoroughly in high flash point solvent before reassembly.
21. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the attachment, the support base, and a press. Place the wheel bearing on the knuckle with the magnetic encoder side (black color) facing toward the inside. Be careful not to damage the magnetic encoder.
22. Install the snap ring (A) securely in the knuckle (B).
23. Install the splash guard (C), and tighten the screws (D).
24. Install the hub (A) onto the knuckle (B) using the attachment, the driver, the support base, and a hydraulic press. Be careful not to distort the splash guard (C).
25. Install the knuckle in the reverse order of removal, and pay particular attention to these items:
^ Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the knuckle.
^ First, install all the components and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values. Do not place the jack against the ball joint pin of the knuckle.
^ Tighten all mounting hardware to the specified torque values.
^ Before connecting the ball joint to the knuckle, degrease the threaded section and tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the connecting hole, the threaded section and mating surface 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.
^ Use a new lock pin on the castle nut.
^ Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surface of the front hub and the inside of the brake disc.
^ Use a new spindle nut on reassembly.
^ Before installing the new 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 surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
^ Check the front wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary.