Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Wheel Knuckle





Special Tool(s)

Removal and Installation





1. NOTE: The wheel speed sensor electrical connectors are located in the engine compartment secured to the fender aprons.

Disconnect the wheel speed sensor.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.





3. Detach the wheel speed sensor harness from the brake hose.
4. Remove the brake hose-to-wheel knuckle bolt.
^ To install, tighten to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).





5. Remove the 2 anchor plate bolts.
^ To install, tighten to 112 Nm (83 ft. lbs.).

6. CAUTION: Do not allow the brake caliper to hang from the hose or damage to the hose can occur.

Position the caliper, pads and anchor plate aside.
7. Remove the brake disc.
8. Remove and discard the 3 wheel hub-to-wheel knuckle bolts.
^ To install, tighten to 112 Nm (83 ft. lbs.).
9. Remove the wheel bearing and hub assembly.
10. Remove the discard the 2 cotter pins.





11. Remove and discard the tie-rod end-to-wheel knuckle castellated nut.
^ To install, tighten to 70 Nm (52 ft. lbs.)





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

CAUTION: Do not damage the tie-rod boot while installing the special tool.

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





13. Remove and discard the lower ball joint-to-wheel knuckle castellated nut.
^ To install, tighten to 150 Nm (111 ft. lbs.).





14. CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle can result.

CAUTION: Do not damage the ball joint boot while installing the special tool.

Using the special tool, separate the lower ball joint from the wheel knuckle.





15. Remove and discard the upper ball joint-to-wheel knuckle nut.
^ To install, tighten to 52 Nm (38 ft. lbs.).





16. CAUTION: Do not use a hammer to separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle or damage to the wheel knuckle can result.

CAUTION: Do not damage the ball joint boot while installing the special tool.

Using the special tool, separate the upper ball joint from the wheel knuckle.
17. Remove the wheel knuckle.
18. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
1 Check and, if necessary, align the front end.
2 Always install new:
^ wheel hub-to-wheel knuckle bolts.
^ cotter pins.
^ castellated nuts.
^ upper ball joint-to-wheel knuckle nut.