Front Steering Knuckle - Removal

REMOVAL

1. Raise and support vehicle. Maintenance




2. Remove wheel mounting nuts (3), then tire and wheel assembly (1).




3. Remove cotter pin (1), lock (7) and spring washer (2) from halfshaft stub shaft (5).
4. With aid of a helper applying brakes to keep front hub from turning, remove hub nut (3) and washer (6).
5. Access and remove front brake rotor. Brake Rotor - Removal




6. Disconnect vehicle wiring harness connector (1) from wheel speed sensor connector (2).
7. Unclip wheel speed sensor connector (2) and routing clip (3) from frame rail outer reinforcement.




8. Remove screw (2) fastening wheel speed sensor routing bracket (3) to strut assembly (1).




9. Open routing clip (3) at knuckle and remove wheel speed sensor cable.




10. Push in on end of halfshaft stub shaft (5), disengaging its splines from hub (4) splines.




11. Remove nut (5) attaching outer tie rod (4) to steering knuckle (1) by holding outer tie rod stud stationary while loosening and removing nut with a wrench.




12. Remove outer tie rod stud (4) from steering knuckle (3) using Puller (1), Special Tool C-3894-A.

CAUTION: The strut assembly-to-knuckle attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned during removal. Proper removal is required. Refer to the following steps for the correct method.





13. If servicing left knuckle:
a. While holding bolt heads stationary, remove two nuts (3) from bolts (2) attaching strut (1) to knuckle.
b. Remove two bolts (2) attaching strut (1) to knuckle using a pin punch.




14. If servicing right knuckle:
a. While holding bolt heads stationary, remove two nuts (3) from bolts (2) attaching strut (1) to knuckle.
b. Remove two bolts (2) attaching strut (1) to knuckle using a pin punch.
15. Tip knuckle outward at top and remove halfshaft stub shaft from hub and bearing. Suspend driveshaft straight outward using a bungee cord or wire. Do not allow driveshaft to hang by inner joint.
16. Remove ball joint nut using a power impact wrench. Because tapered stud is held sufficiently in knuckle at this time, it is not necessary to hold stud stationary to remove nut.
17. Reinstall ball joint nut until top of nut is even with top of ball joint stud. This action will keep stud from distorting while stud is released from knuckle in following step.

CAUTION: Do not remove ball joint stud from steering knuckle using a hammer. Damage to ALUMINUM knuckle, ball joint or control arm will result.





NOTE: Lubricate Press (2), Special Tool C-4150A, screw-drive threads before use to ease use and promote tool longevity.

18. Place Press (2), Special Tool C-4150A, over ball joint stud and nut (4) as shown. Release ball joint stud from steering knuckle (1) by tightening tool screw-drive. To ease Remover installation and use, it may help to rotate knuckle around so inside of knuckle faces outward.
19. Remove tool and nut from top of ball joint stud.
20. Remove steering knuckle from vehicle.
21. If hub and bearing needs to be transferred, remove four bolts attaching hub and bearing to knuckle, then remove hub and bearing.