Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the brake caliper, rotor, shield and ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped.
4. Remove the front halfshaft.





5. Remove the tie rod end nut. Separate the tie rod from the knuckle with Remover C-3894A.
6. Support the lower suspension arm with a hydraulic jack and raise the jack to unload the rebound bumper.

CAUTION: When installing Remover MB-991113 to separate the ball joint, be careful not to damage the ball joint seal.





7. Remove the upper ball joint cotter pin and nut. Separate the ball joint from the knuckle with Remover MB-991113.





8. Remove the lower ball joint cotter pin and nut. Separate the ball joint from the knuckle with Remover C-4150Aand remove the knuckle.
9. Remove the hub/bearing from the steering knuckle.

INSTALLATION

NOTE: When installing hub/bearing with ABS brakes, position the speed sensor opening towards the front of the vehicle.

1. Install the hub/bearing to the steering knuckle and tighten the bolts to 166 Nm (123 ft. lbs.).

CAUTION: The ball joint stud tapers must be CLEAN and DRY before installing the knuckle. Clean the stud tapers with mineral spirits to remove dirt and grease.

2. Install the knuckle onto the upper and lower ball joint.
3. Install the upper and lower ball joint nuts. Tighten the upper ball joint nut to 81 Nm (60 ft. lbs.) and the lower ball joint nut to 183 Nm (135 ft. lbs.) then install cotter pins. Grease the lower ball joint.
4. Remove the hydraulic jack from the lower suspension arm.
5. Install the tie rod end and tighten the nut to 88 Nm (65 ft. lbs.).
6. Install the front halfshaft.
7. Install the ABS wheel speed sensor if equipped and brake shield, rotor and caliper.
8. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
9. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.