Front Steering Knuckle - Removal

REMOVAL

Special Tools:






NOTE: Before proceeding, review all Warnings and Cautions. Warning

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Maintenance





2. Remove the wheel mounting nuts (3), then the tire and wheel assembly (1).





3. Remove cotter pin (1), lock (7) and spring washer (2) from halfshaft stub shaft (5).
4. While a helper applies the brakes to keep the hub (1) from rotating, remove the hub nut (3) and washer (6).
5. Access and remove the front brake rotor. Brake Rotor - Removal





6. Remove the routing clip (1) securing wheel speed sensor cable to the knuckle (4).
7. Remove the screw (2) fastening the wheel speed sensor head (3) to the knuckle (4). Pull the sensor head out of the knuckle.





8. Remove the nut (2) attaching the outer tie rod (7) to the knuckle (3). To do this, hold the tie rod end stud with a wrench while loosening and removing the nut with a standard wrench or crowfoot wrench.





9. Release the outer tie rod end (3) from the knuckle (2) using Remover (1).
10. Remove the outer tie rod from the knuckle.





11. Remove the nut (5) and pinch bolt (4) clamping the ball joint stud (6) to the knuckle (3).






CAUTION: The strut assembly-to-knuckle attaching bolts (5) are serrated and must not be turned during removal. Proper removal is required. Refer to the following steps for the correct method.

12. While holding the bolt heads stationary, remove the two nuts (2) from the bolts (5) attaching the strut (3) to the knuckle (6).
13. Remove the two bolts (5) attaching the strut (3) to the knuckle (6) using a pin punch.






CAUTION: Use care when separating the ball joint stud (4) from the knuckle (1), so the ball joint seal does not get cut.

14. Using an appropriate prying tool (2), separate the ball joint stud (4) from the knuckle (1) by prying down on lower control arm (3) and up against the ball joint boss on the knuckle.






NOTE: Do not allow the half shaft (1) to hang by the inner C/V joint; it must be supported to keep the joint from separating during this operation.

15. Pull the knuckle (3) off the half shaft (1) outer C/V joint splines and remove the knuckle from the vehicle.