Front Suspension
Knuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing ReplacementKnuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing:
Special Tools Required
^ Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
^ Hub dis/assembly tool, 42 mm 07GAF-SD40100
^ Attachment, 72 x 75 mm 07746-0010600
^ Driver 07749-0010000
^ Attachment, 78 x 90 mm 07GAD-SD40101
^ Support base 07965-SD90100
^ Ball joint thread protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
Knuckle/Hub Replacement
1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the wheel nuts and front wheel.
3. Remove the brake hose mounting bracket (A).
4. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (B), then 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 excessively.
5. Remove the wheel sensor (A) from the knuckle. Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.
6. Raise the stake (A), and remove the spindle nut (B).
7. Remove the brake disc.
8. Check the front hub for damage and cracks.
9. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball joint, and loosen the nut (B).
NOTE: During installation, install the new cotter pin after tightening the nut, and bend its end as shown.
10. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover.
11. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).
NOTE:
^ To avoid damaging the ball joint, install the ball joint thread protector on the threads of the ball joint.
^ Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.
^ Do not force or hammer on the lower arm, or pry between the lower arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.
^ During installation, insert the new cotter pin into the ball joint pin hole from the front to the rear of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown.
12. Disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the lower arm using the ball joint thread protector, and the ball joint remover.
13. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).
NOTE: During installation, insert the new cotter pin into the ball joint pin hole from the front to the rear of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown.
14. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover.
15. Remove the driveshaft outboard joint (A) from the knuckle (B) by tapping the driveshaft end (C) with a soft face hammer while drawing the hub outward, then remove the knuckle.
NOTE:
^ Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The driveshaft inboard joint may come apart.
^ During installation, apply grease to the mating surfaces of the wheel bearing and driveshaft outboard joint.
16. Install the knuckle/hub in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
^ First install all of 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. Do not place the jack against the ball joint pin of the knuckle.
^ Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
^ Before connecting the lower arm ball joint to the lower arm, degrease the threaded section and tapered portion of the ball joint pin, and the ball joint connecting hole, and the threaded section and mating surfaces of the castle nut.
^ 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.
^ Use a new spindle nut on reassembly.
^ Before installing the 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 surfaces of the front hub and the inside of the brake disc.
^ Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
^ Check the wheel, alignment, and adjust it if necessary.
Wheel Bearing Replacement
1. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool and a hydraulic press. Hold the knuckle with the attachment (C) of the hydraulic press or equivalent tool. Be careful not to deform the splash guard (D). Hold onto the hub to keep it from falling when pressed clear.
2. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) off of the hub (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool, a commercially available bearing separator (C), and a press.
3. Remove the snap ring (A) and the splash guard (B) from the knuckle (C).
4. Check the front knuckle ring (A) for damage or deformation, and replace it if necessary.
5. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the attachment, the driver, and a press.
6. Wash the knuckle and hub thoroughly in high flash point solvent before reassembly.
7. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the attachment, the support base, and a press.
NOTE:
^ Install the wheel bearing with the wheel sensor magnetic encoder (E) (brown color), toward the inside of the knuckle.
^ Remove any oil, grease, dust, metal debris, and other foreign material from the encoder surface.
^ Keep any magnetic tools away from the encoder surface.
^ Be careful not to damage the encoder surface when you insert the wheel bearing.
8. Install the new front knuckle ring (A) on the inside of the knuckle by aligning the cutout portion (B) on the ring with the wheel sensor hole (C) in the knuckle. Be careful not to damage or deform the ring when installing it.
9. Install the snap ring (A) securely in the knuckle (B).
10. Install the splash guard (C), and tighten the screws (D) to the specified torque value.
11. Press a wheel bearing (A) onto the hub (B) using the attachment, the driver, the support base, and a hydraulic press.
