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 of correct retention of these parts.

1. Remove the wheel and tire.
2. If equipped, remove the wheel speed sensor bolt.
3. If equipped, remove the wheel speed sensor harness bolt and position the wheel speed sensor aside.

4. NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.

Remove and discard the halfshaft nut.

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 bolts and position the caliper and anchor plate assembly aside.

Support the caliper and anchor plate assembly using mechanic's wire.
6. Remove the 2 brake disc bolts and the brake disc.
7. Using the special tool, separate the halfshaft from the wheel hub.





8. Remove and discard the upper ball joint nut.
9. Using the special tool, separate the upper ball joint from the wheel knuckle.





10. Remove and discard the tie-rod end cotter pin and nut.

11. CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle can result.

Using the special tool, separate the tie-rod end from the wheel knuckle.





12. Remove and discard the 2 lower ball joint nuts.

13. CAUTION: When the lower ball joint is separated from the wheel knuckle, the lower arm may strike the outer constant velocity (CV) joint boot with enough force to damage the boot clamp. This will result in a loss of grease from the outer CV joint. Place a block of wood, or similar item, between the lower arm and the outer CV joint to prevent the lower arm from striking the outer CV joint.

NOTE: Once pressure is applied to the ball joint with the special tool, it may be necessary to tap the wheel knuckle at the ball joint area to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

Using the special tools, separate the 2 lower ball joints from the wheel knuckle and remove the wheel knuckle.





Installation
1. Position the wheel knuckle and install the 2 lower ball joint nuts.
^ Tighten the nuts to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).

2. Position the tie-rod end and install the nut and cotter pin.
^ Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).

3. Position the upper ball joint and install the nut.
^ Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).

4. If equipped, position the wheel speed sensor and install the bolt.
^ Tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).

5. If equipped, install the wheel speed sensor harness bolt.
^ Tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).

6. Position the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly and install the 2 bolts.
^ Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).

7. Install the brake disc and the 2 brake disc bolts.
^ Tighten to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).

8. Using the special tool, install the halfshaft into the wheel hub.





9. CAUTION: Do not tighten the halfshaft 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 halfshaft nut.
^ Tighten to 225 Nm (185 lb-ft).