Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Wheel Knuckle

Special Tool(s)






Removal

1. NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts that affect performance of vital components and systems. Failure of these fasteners may result in major service expense. Use the same or equivalent parts if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Tighten fasteners as specified.

Remove the wheel and tire. REFER to Wheel and Tire.

2. NOTE: Do not discard the wheel hub nut at this time.
Remove the wheel hub nut.

3. Remove the brake disc. REFER to Brake Disc.

4. NOTE: No special tools are necessary to separate the tie rod end from the front wheel knuckle; use a mallet to loosen the joint.
Remove and discard the tie-rod end nut, then separate the tie rod end stud from the wheel knuckle.

5. Remove the wheel speed sensor bolt and the wheel speed sensor from the wheel knuckle. Position the wheel speed sensor aside.





6. NOTE: Use the hex holding feature to prevent the lower ball joint stud from turning while removing the lower ball joint nut.
Using a crowfoot wrench, remove and discard the lower ball joint nut.

7. Push the lower arm downward until the ball joint is clear of the wheel knuckle.

8. NOTICE: Do not allow the halfshaft to move outboard. Overextension of the tripod Constant Velocity (CV) joint may result in separation of internal parts, causing failure of the halfshaft.

Using 205-D070 (D93P-1175-B) , press the halfshaft from the wheel bearing and hub. Support the halfshaft in a level position.





9. Remove and discard the 2 lower strut-to-wheel knuckle nuts and bolts.

10. Remove the wheel knuckle.

- If necessary, remove the wheel hub and bearing. REFER to Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub .

Installation

1. Position the wheel knuckle and install 2 new lower strut-to-wheel knuckle bolts and nuts.
- Tighten to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft).

2. While supporting the halfshaft in a level position, install the halfshaft into the wheel bearing and hub.

3. NOTICE: Use care not to damage the ball joint seal while installing the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle.

Push the lower arm downward and install the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle.

4. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the lower ball joint stud from turning while installing the lower ball joint nut.
Using a crowfoot wrench, install the new lower ball joint nut.
- Tighten to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).

5. Position the wheel speed sensor and install the wheel speed sensor bolt.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).





6. Position the tie-rod end stud into the wheel knuckle and install a new tie-rod end nut.
- Tighten to 150 Nm (111 lb-ft).

7. Install the brake disc. REFER to Brake Disc.

8. NOTICE: Do not tighten the front wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground.Tighten the nut to specification before the vehicle is lowered onto the wheels. Wheel bearing damage occurs if the wheel bearing is loaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.
Using the previously removed wheel hub nut, seat the halfshaft.
- Tighten to 350 Nm (258 lb-ft).

- Remove and discard the wheel hub nut.

9. NOTICE: The wheel hub nut contains a one-time locking chemical that is activated by the heat created when it is tightened. Install and tighten the new wheel hub nut to specification within 5 minutes of starting it on the threads. Always install a new wheel hub nut after loosening or when not tightened within the specified time or damage to the components can occur.

NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.
Install a new wheel hub nut.
- Tighten to 350 Nm (258 lb-ft).

10. Install the wheel and tire. REFER to Wheel and Tire.