Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair
Knuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing ReplacementKnuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing:
Special Tools Required
^ Ball joint thread protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
^ Ball joint thread protector, 14 mm 071AF-S3VA000
^ Hub disassembly tool, 42 mm 07GAF-SD40100
^ Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SLOA202
^ Attachment, 62 x 68 mm 07746-0010500
^ Driver 07749-0010000
^ Support base 07965-SD90100
1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the wheel cap, wheel nuts, and front wheel.
3. Remove the brake hose mounting bolt (A).
4. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (B), and remove the caliper assembly (C) from the knuckle. To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper assembly from the undercarriage. Do not twist the brake hose with force.
5. Raise the stake (A), then remove the spindle nut (B).
6. Remove the 6 mm brake disc retaining screws (A).
7. Screw two 8 x 1.25 mm bolts (B) into the brake disc to push it away from the hub. Turn each bolt two turns at a time to prevent cocking the disc excessively.
8. Remove the flange bolt (A) and wheel sensor (B) from the knuckle. Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.
9. Remove the flange nut (A) while holding the joint pin (B) with a hex wrench (C), and disconnect the stabilizer link (D) from the lower arm (E).
10. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint, and remove the castle nut (B).
NOTE: During installation, insert the new lock pin as shown after tightening the nut.
11. Disconnect the lower arm from the knuckle using the special tools.
12. Loosen the damper pinch bolts (A) while holding the nuts (B), and remove the bolts and the nuts.
13. Remove the driveshaft outboard joint (C) from the knuckle (D) by tapping the driveshaft end (E) with a plastic hammer while drawing the knuckle outward, then remove the knuckle.
NOTE: Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The driveshaft joint may come apart.
14. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the special tool and a hydraulic press. Be careful not to deform the splash guard. Hold onto the hub to keep it from falling when pressed clear.
15. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) off of the hub (B) using the special tool, commercially available bearing separator (C), and a press.
16. Remove the snap ring (A) and the splash guard (B) from the knuckle (C).
17. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the special tools and a press.
18. Wash the knuckle and hub thoroughly in high flash point solvent before reassembly.
19. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the special tool, and a press. Place the wheel bearing on the knuckle with the pack seal side facing (E) (metal color) toward the inside. Be careful not to damage the sleeve of the pack seal.
20. Install the snap ring (A) securely in the knuckle (B).
21. Install the splash guard, and tighten the screws (D) to the specified torque value.
22. Press a new hub bearing unit (A) onto the hub (B) using the special tools and a press.
23. Install the knuckle/hub/hub bearing unit in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
^ Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the knuckle.
^ Before connecting the ball joint to the arm, degrease the threaded section and tapered portion of the ball joint pin, and the arm connecting hole, and the threaded section and mating surface of the castle nut.
^ First install all the components and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values.
^ Tighten all mounting hardware to the specified torque values.
^ Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.
^ Reinstall the lock pin on the castle nut after torquing.
^ Use a new spindle nut on reassembly.
^ Before installing the new spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the driveshaft.
^ Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surface of the front hub and the inside of the brake disc.
^ Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
^ Check the front wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary.