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.
All vehicles
1. Loosen the 3 strut upper nuts 5 turns.
2. Remove the wheel and tire.
3. NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.
Remove and discard the front wheel hub nut.
4. Detach the brake hose from the support bracket.
5. 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 brake caliper guide pin bolts and position the caliper assembly aside.
^ Support the caliper assembly using mechanic's wire.
6. Remove the brake disc.
Vehicles with anti-lock brakes
7. Remove the wheel speed sensor bolt and position the sensor aside.
All vehicles
8. CAUTION: Leave the tie-rod end nut in place to protect the ball joint stud.
Loosen the tie-rod end nut.
9. CAUTION: Protect the tie-rod seal using a soft cloth to prevent damage.
Using the special tool, detach the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.
^ Discard the tie-rod end nut.
10. CAUTION: 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 boot can result. Only use the pry bar by inserting it into the lower control arm body opening.
CAUTION: Do not damage suspension components when using the pry bar to separate the lower arm from the wheel knuckle.
Remove and discard the ball joint nut and bolt, then insert a pry bar in the lower arm body opening and separate the lower arm from the wheel knuckle.
11. Remove the ball joint heat shield.
12. After separating the lower control arm from the wheel knuckle, immediately install the special tool over the ball stud before releasing the lower control arm and knuckle into rest positions.
^ Leave the special tool in place during service and only remove prior to installation.
13. NOTE: Make sure that the halfshaft does not disengage from the inner constant velocity (CV) joint.
Using a suitable puller, separate the wheel hub from the halfshaft.
14. Remove the wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt.
15. Remove the wheel knuckle.
^ Support the halfshaft using mechanic's wire.
Installation
All vehicles
1. Position the wheel knuckle and install the wheel knuckle-to-strut bolt.
^ Tighten to 150 Nm (111 ft. lbs.).
2. Using the halfshaft installer tool, install the halfshaft.
3. CAUTION: Make sure the ball joint heat shield is installed on the lower arm to prevent damage to the ball joint.
Remove the special tool, insert the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle and install a new bolt and nut.
^ Tighten to 63 Nm (46 ft. lbs.).
4. Attach the tie-rod end to the wheel knuckle and install a new nut.
^ Tighten to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.).
Vehicles with anti-lock brakes
5. Position the wheel speed sensor and install the bolt.
^ Tighten to 9 Nm (80 inch lbs.).
All vehicles
6. Position the brake disc.
7. Position the caliper assembly and install the guide pin bolts.
^ Tighten to 27 Nm (20 ft. lbs.).
8. Attach the brake hose to the support bracket.
9. Tighten the strut upper nuts to 35 Nm (26 ft. lbs.).
10. CAUTION: Always tighten a new wheel hub nut and washer with a torque wrench. Never use power tools to tighten the wheel hub nut and washer. Power tools may damage the nut or the halfshaft.
CAUTION: Do not tighten the front 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.
NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.
Install the new front wheel hub nut.
^ Tighten to 270 Nm (199 ft. lbs.).
11. Install the wheel and tire.