Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair
Removal
CAUTION: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure can result in mayor 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 wheel hub retainer (3B477). It is a torque prevailing design and cannot be reused. If loosened, the retainer 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 wheel hub retainer, and the washer. Discard the retainer.
2. Remove the front brake disc.
3. Remove and discard the cotter pin and nut.
4. Using the special tools, disconnect the tie-rod end.
Vehicles equipped with ABS
5. Remove the 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 nut.
8. Remove and discard the 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. Wire the halfshaft in a level position.
12. Remove the flag bolt and the 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 flag bolt.
4. Using the special tools, press the halfshaft into the wheel bearing and hub.
5. Using a pry bar, push the lower arm down until the ball joint can be installed.
6. Install a new nut.
7. Install a new nut.
Vehicles equipped with ABS
8. Attach the ABS sensor wire retainer.
9. Note: Make sure the ABS sensor mounting hole does not have debris or corrosion build up, or false ABS activation can occur.
Position the ABS sensor and install the bolt.
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.
11. Install the brake disc.
12. CAUTION: The front axle wheel hub retainer must be tightened to specification immediately during installation. If the retainer is not tightened immediately, the nylon lock will set incorrectly, leading to incorrect torque readings and bearing failure. Any front wheel hub retainer that is not immediately tightened to specification or is loosened must be removed and a new retainer installed.
Install the washer, the wheel hub retainer and the hub cap or wheel cover.