Front Axle

Removal





1. Raise vehicle and support it with safety stand.
2. Loosen four wheel nuts.
3. Remove wheel and tire.
4. Loosen a lock nut and two brake rotor screws.
5. Remove brake caliper assembly and disk plate.

Notice: Do not damage dust boot.





6. Loosen and remove nut and disconnect tie rod end with SST (OK130 283 021).
7. Disconnect stabilizer bar with control link on lower control arm.





8. Remove the lower arm ball joint bolt and nut from steering knuckle.

Notice: Use caution when separating lower arm from steering knuckle, so ball joint seal does not get cut.





9. Using a pry bar, separate steering knuckle from lower arm.
10. Remove suspension assembly from steering knuckle.





11. Pull steering knuckle by hands to separate steering knuckle and driveshaft.
12. Inspect all parts and repair or replace as necessary.

Replacement
1. Insert the end of the front wheel driveshaft into the knuckle.
2. Tighten two bolts after installing suspension assembly to knuckle.
Tightening torque: 88 - 101 ft. lbs. (120 - 137 Nm, 12.2 - 14 kg.m)





3. Connect ball joint of lower control arm to steering knuckle and tighten bolt and nut.
Tightening torque: 69 - 85 ft. lbs. (93 - 115 Nm, 9.5 - 11.7 kg.m)
4. Install disk plate to wheel hub and tighten two disk plate screws.
Tightening torque: 7 - 11 ft. lbs. (10 - 15 Nm, 1.0 - 1.5 kg.m)





5. After installing disk plate to wheel hub, install a dial indicator on wheel hub and push and pull hub to measure bearing play and replace the wheel hub, if necessary.
Maximum wheel bearing play: 0.002 inch (0.05 mm)
6. Install brake caliper assembly to steering knuckle and tighten two bolts.
Tightening torque: 88 - 101 ft. lbs. (119 - 137 Nm, 12.2 - 14 kg.m)

Notice: Do not damage dust boot.

7. Install tie rod end to steering knuckle.





8. Install nut and secure it with a new cotter pin.
Tightening torque: 43 - 58 ft. lbs. (59 - 78 Nm, 6.0 - 8.0 kg.m)





9. Install a new lock nut and stake it, as shown.
Tightening torque: 177 - 199 ft. lbs. (240 - 270 Nm, 24.5 - 27.5 kg.m)
10. Install wheel and tire.
11. Tighten four wheel nuts.
Tightening torque: 65 - 79 ft. lbs. (88 - 108 Nm, 9.0 - 11.0 kg.m)
12. Install stabilizer nut loosely, and lower vehicle, then tight nut to specified torque.
Tightening torque: 69 - 85 ft. lbs. (93 - 115 Nm, 9.5 - 11.7 kg.m)
13. After assembly, check front wheel alignment.