Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

REMOVAL
1. Raise the vehicle and support the frame with suitable safety stands.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove the brake caliper.
4. Remove the hub assembly.
5. Remove tie-rod end from the knuckle.
6. Remove the speed sensor from the knuckle.
7. Loosen torsion bar by height control arm adjust bolt, then remove torsion bar.
8. Remove wheel speed sensor.
9. Remove back plate.





10. Remove lower ball joint by using remover J-29107.

CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot.





11. Remove upper ball joint by using remover J-36831.

CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot.

12. Remove knuckle assembly.
13. Remove oil seal.
14. Remove washer.





15. Remove needle bearing by using remover J-23907.

INSPECTION AND REPAIR
Make necessary correction or parts replacement if wear, damage, corrosion or any other abnormal condition are found through inspection. Check the following parts:
- Knuckle
- Knuckle arm
- Needle bearing
- Thrust washer

INSTALLATION





1. Apply appropriate amount of multipurpose type grease to the new bearing (Approx. 5 g) and install needle bearing by using installer J-36838 and J-8092.
2. Apply multipurpose type grease to the thrust washer, and install washer with chamfered side facing knuckle.





3. Use a new oil seal, and apply multipurpose type grease to the area surrounded by the lip (approx. 2 g). Then use installer J-36837 and J-8092 to install oil seal. After fitting the oil seal to the installer, drive it to the knuckle using a hammer or bench press until the tool front face contacts with the thrust washer.
4. Install knuckle assembly.
5. Install upper ball joint and tighten the nut to the specified torque, with just enough additional torque to align cotter pin holes. Install new cotter pin. Torque to 98 Nm (72 ft. lbs.).
6. Install lower ball joint and tighten the nut to the specified torque, with just enough additional torque to align cotter pin holes. Install new cotter pin. Torque to 147 Nm (108 ft. lbs.).
7. Install back plate.
8. Install wheel speed sensor.
9. Install torsion bar.

NOTE: Adjust the trim height.