Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Wheel Knuckle





Special Tool(s)

Removal

All vehicles





1. Loosen the 3 strut tower nuts by at least five turns.





2. Remove the brake disc.

Vehicles with anti-lock brakes





3. Detach the wheel speed sensor.

All vehicles





4. Remove the tie-rod end retaining nut.





5. CAUTION: Protect the ball joint seal using a soft cloth to prevent damage.

Using the special tool, detach the tie-rod end ball joint end.





6. CAUTION: Do not use a prying device or separator fork between the lower arm ball joint and the knuckle. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint dust boot can result. Only use the pry bar by inserting it into the lower control arm body opening.

CAUTION: Do not damage suspension components when using the pry bar to separate the ball joint.

Detach the lower arm ball joint.
1. Remove the nut and bolt.
2. Detach the ball joint.
^ Insert a pry bar in the lower control arm body opening to separate the ball joint.





7. After separating the lower control arm from the wheel knuckle, immediately install the special tool over the ball stud before releasing the lower control arm and knuckle into rest positions.





^ Leave the special tool in place during service and only remove prior to reassembly.





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

Remove and discard the wheel hub retaining nut.





9. NOTE: Make sure that the halfshaft does not disengage from the inner constant velocity joint.

Using a suitable puller, separate the wheel hub from the halfshaft.





10. Remove the wheel knuckle bolt.





11. Remove the wheel knuckle.
1. Using a suitable lever, release the knuckle.
2. Remove the wheel knuckle.
^ Support the halfshaft out of the way.

Installation

All vehicles





1. Install the wheel knuckle to strut pinch bolt.





2. Using the special tools, install the halfshaft.





3. CAUTION: Make sure the heat shield is installed to prevent damage to the ball joint.

Install the lower arm to wheel knuckle nut and bolt.





4. WARNING: Install a new tie-rod end retaining nut. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.

Install the tie-rod end.

Vehicles with anti-lock brakes





5. Attach the wheel speed sensor.

All vehicles

6. Install the brake disc.

7. CAUTION: Install and tighten the new wheel hub nut and washer to specification in a continuous rotation. Always install a new wheel hub nut and washer after loosening or when not tightened to specification in a continuous rotation.

CAUTION: Always tighten a new wheel hub nut and washer with a torque wrench. Never use power tools to tighten the wheel hub nut and washer. Power tools may damage the nut or the halfshaft.

CAUTION: Do not tighten the front wheel hub 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 new front wheel hub nut.
^ Tighten to 270 Nm (199 ft. lbs.).









8. Tighten the strut tower nuts.