Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Fig. 23 Exploded View Of Steering Knuckle And Hub Components:

Fig. 24 Measuring Bearing Backlash:

Fig. 25 Measuring Hub Runout:

1. Raise and support vehicle then remove front wheels.
2. While depressing brakes, remove front hub bearing locknut, Fig. 23.
3. Remove brake caliper assembly.
4. Place alignment marks on brake disc rotor and hub then remove brake disc rotor.
5. Place a dial indicator near center of axle hub and check backlash in bearing shaft direction, Fig. 24. If backlash is greater than .002 inch, replace bearing.
6. Place a dial indicator at surface of axle hub outside hub bolt and check hub runout, Fig. 25. If runout is greater than .002 inch, replace axle hub.
7. Disconnect anti-lock brake system speed sensor.
8. Disconnect lower ball joint from steering knuckle as outlined under FRONT SUSPENSION/COMPONENT R & R/LOWER BALL JOINT.
9. Disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle using tie rod end pulley tool No. 09628-62011 or equivalent.
10. Disconnect steering knuckle from lower shock absorber mounting bracket.
11. Using a suitable plastic hammer, tap driveshaft and remove steering knuckle. Cover driveshaft boot with cloth to protect it from damage.
12. Remove dust deflector and inner oil seal using suitable screwdriver.
13. Remove snap ring from steering knuckle using suitable snap ring pliers.
14. Remove bolts holding steering knuckle to disc brake dust cover and then the cover.
15. Using universal puller tool No. 09950-20017 or equivalent, push out axle hub from steering knuckle.
16. Remove bearing inner race from bearing.
17. Using a T30 Torx wrench, remove sensor control rotor from axle hub. Ensure not to damage sensor control rotor during removal.
18. Using universal puller tool, remove inner race from axle hub.
19. Remove outer oil seal.
20. Remove bearing by first installing race of bearing to be removed and then tapping bearing out using bearing removal tool No. 09605-60010 or equivalent.
21. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Install bearing using bearing installation tool No. 09608-32010 or equivalent.
b. Install outer oil seal using seal installation tool Nos. 09608-32010 and 09608-35014, or equivalent.
c. Install axle hub into steering knuckle using countershaft bearing installer tool No. 09310-35010 or equivalent after coating multi-purpose grease between oil seal lip, oil seal and bearing.
d. Install inner oil seal using oil seal installation tool Nos. 09608-32010, 09608-32010 and 09608-35014 or equivalent.
e. Install dust deflector using oil seal installation tool No. 09608-35014 or equivalent.
f. Ensure not to damage oil seal when installing axle hub.