Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Steering Knuckle Replacement

Tools Required

KM-507-C Ball Joint Remover

Removal Procedure




1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair in General Information.
2. Remove the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the caulking nut from the axle shaft.




4. Remove the brake caliper from the rotor. Support the caliper so it does not hang from the hydraulic brake hose. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Front Brake Caliper Replacement - Front in Disc Brakes.
5. Remove the outer tie rod from the knuckle assembly. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement Service and Repair in Power Steering System.
6. On vehicles equipped with the antilock braking system (ABS), disconnect the ABS speed sensor electrical connection from the knuckle.




7. Remove the ball joint pinch bolt and the nut.




8. Separate the knuckle from the ball joint using the KM-507-C (1).




9. Remove the nuts from the bolts that connect the knuckle assembly to the strut assembly.





Notice: Do not overextend the wheel drive shaft. Allowing the inboard joint to overextend can cause separation of the internal components and lead to joint failure.

10. Support the drive axle.
11. Separate the drive axle shaft from the wheel hub.
12. Remove the bolts that connect the knuckle assembly to the strut assembly.
13. Remove the knuckle assembly from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure




1. Install the knuckle assembly onto the vehicle.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

2. Install the steering knuckle-to-strut assembly nuts.

Tighten the steering knuckle-to-strut assembly nuts to 120 Nm (89 lb ft).

3. Connect the drive axle to the front wheel hub.




4. Connect the ball joint to the knuckle assembly.
5. Install the ball joint pinch bolt and the nut.

Tighten the ball joint pinch bolt nut to 60 Nm (44 lb ft).




6. Connect the ABS speed sensor electrical connection.




7. Connect the outer tie rod to the knuckle assembly. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement Service and Repair in Power Steering System.
8. Install the brake caliper onto the rotor. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement - Front Brake Caliper Replacement - Front in Disc Brakes.
9. Install the caulking nut onto the axle shaft.

Tighten the drive axle-to-hub caulking nut to 150 Nm (111 lb ft). Loosen the nut, then tighten it to 275 Nm (203 lb ft).

10. Install the wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair in Tires and Wheels.
11. Lower the vehicle.