Rear Knuckle: Service and Repair
Rear Knuckle/Hub Bearing Unit Replacement
Exploded View
Special Tools Required
- Ball Joint Thread Protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
- Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
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 (A) and rear wheel.
3. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (A), then remove the caliper assembly (B) 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.
4. Remove the two washers (A).
NOTE: During installation, make sure the washers are installed between the brake caliper bracket and the knuckle.
5. Pry up the stake (A) on the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut.
6. Release the parking brake lever fully, and remove the rear brake disc/drum Rear Brake Disc Replacement.
7. Remove the hub bearing unit (A).
NOTE: Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The driveshaft inboard joint may come apart.
8. Check the hub bearing unit for damage and cracks.
9. 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/drum, clean the mating surfaces between the hub bearing unit and the inside of the brake disc/drum.
- Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel.
10. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.
Knuckle Replacement
1. Remove the hub bearing unit.
2. Remove the brake hose bracket mounting bolt (A) from the knuckle.
3. Remove the flange nuts (B), then remove the backing plate (C) with the parking brake shoe assembly. To prevent damage to the backing plate with the parking brake shoes assembly and cable, use a short piece of wire to hang the backing plate from the undercarriage. Do not twist the parking brake cable excessively.
4. Remove the wheel speed sensor (A) from the knuckle (B). Do not disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.
5. Position a floor jack under lower arm B. Raise the floor jack until the suspension begins to compress.
6. Remove the lock pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (C).
NOTE: During installation, install the lock pin as shown after tightening the castle nut.
7. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover Ball Joint Removal.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.
8. Remove the self-locking nut (B), the washer (C), and the flange bolt (D), then remove lower arm A.
NOTE:
- During installation, position the paint mark (E) on lower arm A toward the outside of the vehicle.
- Use a new self-locking nut and the new flange bolt, during reassembly.
9. Remove the flange nuts (A) from the trailing arm (B).
NOTE: Use new flange nuts during reassembly.
10. Remove the flange bolt (A), then remove the knuckle (B).
NOTE: Use the new flange bolt during reassembly.
11. Install the knuckle in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
- First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and the 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 knuckle.
- Before connecting the ball joint, 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 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.
- Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel.
12. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary Service and Repair.