Removal and Installation

Removal and Installation
REMOVAL
1. Remove tire from vehicle with power tool.
2. Remove undercover with power tool.
3. Remove brake caliper with power tool. Hang it in a place where it will not interfere with work. Refer to FRONT DISC BRAKE.

NOTE: Avoid depressing brake pedal while brake caliper is removed.

4. Remove disc rotor.
5. Remove wheel sensor from steering knuckle. Refer to WHEEL SENSOR.

CAUTION: Do not pull on wheel sensor harness.

6. Remove brake hose bracket from steering knuckle. Refer to BRAKE PIPING AND HOSE.
7. Remove cotter pin, then remove wheel bearing lock nut from drive shaft with power tool.
8. Remove cotter pin at steering outer socket, then loosen mounting nut.





9. Use a ball joint remover (SST) to remove steering outer socket from steering knuckle. Be careful not to damage ball joint boot.

CAUTION: Tighten temporarily mounting nut to prevent damage to threads and to prevent ball joint remover (SST) from coming off.

10. After removing upper link, transverse link, compression rod and cotter pin at steering knuckle, loosen mounting nut.
11. Use a ball joint remover (suitable tool) to remove upper link, transverse link and compression rod from steering knuckle. Be careful not to damage ball joint boot

CAUTION: Tighten temporarily mounting nut to prevent damage to threads and to prevent ball joint remover (suitable tool) from coming off.

12. Remove fixing bolts between steering knuckle and wheel hub and bearing assembly with power fool.
13. Remove splash guard and wheel hub and bearing assembly from steering knuckle.

INSPECTION AFTER REMOVAL
^ About the inspection for upper link, compression rod, steering outer socket, refer to UPPER LINK, COMPRESSION ROD, POWER STEERING GEAR.

Visual Inspection
^ Check steering knuckle and ball seat for deformation, cracks, and other damage. Replace steering knuckle and ball seat if cracks, deformation or other damage is found.
^ Check ball joint boot for deformation, damage, and also for grease leakage. Replace steering knuckle assembly if cracks, deformation or also for grease leakage is found.

Steering Knuckle Ball Joint Inspection
^ Manually move ball stud to confirm it moves smoothly with no binding.

Swing Torque Inspection

CAUTION: Before measurement. move ball joint at least ten times by hand to check for smooth movement.





^ Hook spring scale at cotter pin mounting hole. Confirm spring scale measurement value is within specifications when ball stud begins moving.
Standard value Swing force: 0.147 - 1.4 Nm (0.02 - 0.14 kgf-m, 2 - 12 inch lbs.)
Measurement force: 2.23 - 21.2 N (0.22 - 2.16 kgf, 0.50 - 4.77 lbs.)
^ If the value is outside the standard, replace steering knuckle.

Rotating Torque Inspection





^ Attach mounting nut to ball stud. Check that rotating torque is within specifications with a preload gauge (SST).
Standard value Rotating torque: 0.147 - 1.4 Nm (0.02 - 0.14 kgf-m, 2 - 12 inch lbs.)
^ If the value is outside the standard, replace steering knuckle.

Axial End Play Inspection
^ Move tip of ball joint in axial direction to check for looseness.
Standard value Axial end play : 0 mm (0 inch)
^ If the value is outside the standard, replace steering knuckle.

INSTALLATION
^ Refer to Removal and Installation for tightening torque. Install in the reverse order of removal.

NOTE: Refer to component parts location and do not reuse non-reusable parts.