Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Front Knuckle/Hub Bearing Unit Replacement

Exploded View





Special Tools Required

- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
- Ball Joint Remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102

NOTICE
To avoid damage, do not strike aluminum parts with a metal hammer. If necessary, tap gently with a soft face hammer.

NOTE: Refer to the Exploded View as needed during the following procedure.

Hub Bearing Unit Replacement

1. Raise and support the vehicle Service and Repair.

2. Remove the wheel nuts, and the front wheel, taking care not to scratch the caliper.






3. Remove the brake hose mounting bracket (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 the 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 speed sensor (A) and the O-ring (B) from the knuckle. Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.






6. Pry up the stake (A), then remove the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut.






7. Remove the front brake disc Front Brake Disc Replacement.

8. Remove the hub bearing unit mounting bolts (A).





9. Remove the hub bearing unit (B) by tapping the driveshaft end (C) with a soft face hammer while drawing the hub bearing unit outward.

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 hub bearing unit and driveshaft outboard joint.

10. Check the hub bearing unit for damage and cracks.

11. Install the hub bearing unit in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:

- Use a new spindle nut during 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 bearing unit 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.

12. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.

Knuckle Replacement

1. Remove the hub bearing unit.

2. Remove the splash guard (A).






3. Remove the wheel speed sensor (A) from the knuckle. Do not disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.

NOTE: Use a new wheel speed sensor bracket (B) and new clips (C) during reassembly.






4. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball joint, then loosen the nut (B).

NOTE: During installation, install a new cotter pin after tightening the nut, and bend its end as shown.





5. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover Ball Joint Removal.

6. Remove the holder (A) from the knuckle (B).

NOTE: Use a new flange bolt and a self-locking nut during reassembly.






7. Remove the lock pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).





8. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover Ball Joint Removal, then remove the knuckle.

9. Install the knuckle in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:

- 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.
- Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the upper arm to the knuckle.
- Before connecting the ball joint to the knuckle, degrease the threaded section and the tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, and the threaded section and the mating surface 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.
- Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces on the brake disk and the inside of the wheel.
- Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.