Front Steering Knuckle - Removal

REMOVAL

Special Tools:











NOTE: Before proceeding, review all Warnings and Cautions. Warning

1. Raise and support the vehicle Maintenance.
2. Remove the wheel mounting bolts (1), then the tire and wheel assembly.





3. Remove staking from hub nut (2).
4. While a helper applies the brakes to keep the hub from rotating, use a 12 point thin-walled 36mm Craftsman(R) socket or equivalent to remove the hub nut and discard.
5. Access and remove the front brake rotor Brake Rotor - Removal.





6. Remove the screw (1) fastening the wheel speed sensor head to the knuckle. Pull the sensor head out of the knuckle.





7. Remove the nut (2) and pinch bolt clamping the ball joint stud (1) to the knuckle (3).
8. Remove the nut (4) attaching the outer tie rod (5) to the knuckle (3).





9. Release the outer tie rod end (3) from the knuckle (2) using Ball Joint Remover (9360) (1).
10. Remove the outer tie rod from the knuckle.





11. While holding the stabilizer stud stationary, remove the nut (1) attaching the stabilizer link to the strut. Separate the stabilizer link stud from the strut.
12. While holding the bolt heads stationary, remove the two nuts (2) from the bolts (4) attaching the strut to the knuckle (3).
13. Remove the two bolts (4) attaching the strut to the knuckle (3).






CAUTION: Use care when separating the ball joint stud (2) from the knuckle (3), so the ball joint seal does not get cut or compressed excessively.

14. Using Ball Joint Remover (9360) (1), separate the ball joint stud (2) from the knuckle (3).

NOTE: Do not allow the half shaft to hang by the inner C/V joint; it must be supported to keep the joint from separating during this operation.

15. Pull the knuckle off the half shaft outer C/V joint splines and remove the knuckle from the vehicle.