Rear Knuckle: Service and Repair

Steering Knuckle Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Description and Operation).
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
3. Support the lower control arm with a suitable jack.

Note: In the following service procedure, it is NOT necessary to separate the brake caliper and mounting bracket. Remove them as an assembly. Support the assembly with mechanics wire or equivalent.

4. Remove the brake caliper assembly and relocate to the side. Refer to Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement).

Note: Perform the following service procedure if the vehicle is equipped with 4WD. If the vehicle does not have 4WD, proceed to Step 6.

5. Separate the front wheel drive shaft from the steering knuckle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (Service and Repair).




6. Remove the speed senor wiring harness from the retaining clips on the upper control arm and frame.
7. Remove the outer tie rod end from the knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).
8. Separate the upper ball joint from the knuckle. Refer to Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (2WD, Z85, ZQ8) ()Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (4WD, 2WD, Z71) (Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (4WD, 2WD, Z71)).
9. Separate the lower ball joint from the knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (4WD, 2WD, Z71) (Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (4WD, 2WD, Z71)) Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (2WD, Z85, ZQ8) ().





Note: Remove the wheel hub and bearing assembly and knuckle as a unit.

10. Remove the knuckle from the upper and lower control arms.
11. Remove the wheel hub and bearing assembly from the knuckle. Refer to Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement (Service and Repair).

Installation Procedure




1. Install the wheel hub and bearing assembly onto the knuckle. Refer to Front Wheel Bearing and Hub Replacement (Service and Repair).
2. Install the lower control arm/ball joint into the knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (4WD, 2WD, Z71) (Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (4WD, 2WD, Z71)) Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (2WD, Z85, ZQ8) ().

Note: The following service procedure is for vehicles equipped with 4WD only. If the vehicle is not equipped with 4WD, proceed to Step 4.

3. Install the wheel drive shaft into the knuckle.
4. Install the upper control arm/ball joint into the knuckle. Refer to Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (2WD, Z85, ZQ8) ()Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (4WD, 2WD, Z71) (Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (4WD, 2WD, Z71)).
5. Install the outer tie rod end into the knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).




6. Install the speed senor wiring harness in the retaining clips on the upper control arm and frame.
7. Install the brake caliper mounting bracket. Refer to Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement (Brake Caliper Bracket Replacement).
8. Install the wheel drive shaft retaining nut to specifications. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (Service and Repair).
9. Remove the support from the lower control arm.
10. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair)
11. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.