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 can result in major service expense. A new part with the same part number must be used if installation is necessary. Do not use a new part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

All vehicles

1. CAUTION: Discard the halfshaft-to-wheel hub nut. It is a torque prevailing design and cannot be reused. If loosened, the nut must be removed and a new one installed.

NOTE: Make sure the steering wheel is in the unlocked position.

Remove the hub cap or wheel cover, the halfshaft-to-wheel hub nut and the washer. Discard the nut.
2. Remove the front brake disc.
3. Remove and discard the cotter pin and tie-rod end nut.

4. CAUTION: Do not damage the tie-rod end boot when installing the special tool.

NOTE: Remove the adapter from the ball end of the special tool. Apply a small amount of grease to the tie-rod end stud and the ball of the special tool.

Using the special tool, disconnect the tie-rod end.

Vehicles equipped with ABS

5. Remove the anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensor bolt and detach the ABS sensor.

6. Unclip the ABS sensor wire retainer and position the sensor out of the way.

All vehicles
7. Remove and discard the wheel knuckle pinch nut.
8. Remove and discard the lower ball joint nut.

9. Using the special tools, disconnect the ball joint from the lower arm.

10. Using a pry bar, push the lower arm down until the ball joint is free of the arm.

11. CAUTION: Do not allow the halfshaft to move outboard. Over-extension of the tripod CV joint can result in separation of internal parts, causing failure of the halfshaft.

NOTE: Hold the threaded rod while turning the nut.

Using the special tools, press the halfshaft from the wheel bearing and hub. Support the halfshaft in a level position using mechanic's wire.

12. Remove the wheel knuckle flag bolt and the wheel knuckle.
13. If necessary, remove the wheel hub and bearing.

14. CAUTION: Use care not to damage the knuckle or dust shield when drilling out the rivets.

If necessary, remove the dust shield.
1 Using a 5.5 mm (0.22 inch) drill bit, drill out the rivets. If a larger bit is needed, do not use a bit larger than 6 mm (0.24 inch).
2 Remove the dust shield.

Installation
All vehicles

1. CAUTION: Use only the appropriate size aluminum rivets. Do not use steel rivets. Galvanic corrosion can occur.

If removed, install the dust shield.
1 Position the dust shield.
2 Install the rivets.
2. If removed, install the wheel hub and bearing.
3. Position the knuckle on the strut and install the wheel knuckle flag bolt.

4. Using the special tools, pull the halfshaft into the wheel bearing and hub.

5. Using a pry bar, push the lower arm down and install the lower ball joint stud into the lower arm.
6. Install a new lower ball joint nut.
^ Tighten to 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs.).
7. Install a new wheel knuckle pinch nut.
^ Tighten to 115 Nm (85 ft. lbs.).

Vehicles equipped with ABS

8. Attach the ABS sensor wire retainer.

9. NOTE: Make sure the ABS sensor mounting hole is free of any foreign material or corrosion build up, or false ABS activation can occur.

Position the ABS sensor and install the ABS sensor bolt.
^ Tighten to 12 Nm (9 ft. lbs.).

All vehicles

10. NOTE: If the hole in the tie-rod end does not line up with the slots in the nut, continue tightening the nut. Do not loosen the nut to align the slots in the nut with the hole in the outer tie-rod end.

Connect the tie-rod end to the knuckle and install a new nut and cotter pin.
^ Tighten to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.).
11. Install the front brake disc.

12. CAUTION: The halfshaft-to-wheel hub nut must be tightened to specification immediately during installation. If the nut is not tightened immediately, the nylon lock will set incorrectly, leading to incorrect torque readings and bearing failure. Any halfshaft-to-wheel hub nut that is not immediately tightened to specification, or is loosened, must be removed and a new one installed.

Install the washer, the halfshaft-to-wheel hub nut and the hub cap or wheel cover.
^ Tighten to 250 Nm (184 ft. lbs.).