Rear Knuckle: Service and Repair

Wheel Knuckle - Front Wheel Drive (FWD)



















Removal

NOTICE: Suspension fasteners are critical parts because they affect performance of vital components and systems and their failure may result in major service expense. New parts must be installed with the same part numbers or equivalent part, if replacement is necessary. Do not use a replacement part of lesser quality or substitute design. Torque values must be used as specified during reassembly to make sure of correct retention of these parts.

1. Measure the distance from the center of the wheel hub to the lip of the fender with the vehicle in a level, static ground position (curb height).





2. Remove the wheel and tire.

3. Remove the brake disc.

4. Using a suitable jackstand, support the lower arm.

5. Remove and discard the trailing arm-to-wheel knuckle nut and bolt.

6. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the stabilizer bar link stud from turning while removing the nut.

Remove and discard the stabilizer bar link upper nut and disconnect the link.

7. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower bolt and disconnect the shock absorber.

8. Remove the wheel speed sensor bolt, disconnect the harness and position the sensor and harness assembly aside.

9. Remove and discard the toe link-to-knuckle nut.

10. Remove and discard the upper arm-to-wheel knuckle nut and bolt and disconnect the upper arm from the knuckle.

11. Remove and discard the lower arm-to-wheel knuckle nut and bolt.

12. Lower the jackstand, slide the knuckle off the toe link and remove the knuckle.

Installation

NOTE: Before tightening any suspension bushing fasteners, use a jackstand to raise the rear suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to the measurement taken in the removal procedure (curb height).

1. Position the wheel knuckle onto the toe link and loosely install a new lower arm-to-wheel knuckle nut and bolt.

2. Loosely install a new toe link-to-knuckle nut.

3. Position the wheel speed sensor harness and install the wheel speed sensor and bolt.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).

4. Connect the shock absorber to the knuckle and loosely install a new shock absorber lower bolt.

5. Connect the stabilizer bar link and install a new stabilizer bar link upper nut.
- Tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft).

6. NOTE: Use the hex-holding feature to prevent the stabilizer bar link stud from turning while removing or installing the nut.

Loosely install a new trailing arm-to-wheel knuckle nut and bolt.

7. Loosely install a new upper arm-to-wheel knuckle nut and bolt.

8. Position a suitable jackstand under the lower control arm at the shock and spring assembly attachment point and raise the rear suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to the measurement taken in Step 1 of the procedure (curb height).

9. NOTE: A slotted upper arm allows for the rear suspension camber to be adjusted by pushing inward or pulling outward on the wheel knuckle while tightening the upper arm-to-wheel knuckle nut.

With the wheel knuckle pushed inward for maximum negative camber, tighten the upper arm-to-wheel knuckle nut to 200 Nm (148 lb-ft).

10. Tighten the lower arm-to-wheel knuckle bolt to 265 Nm (196 lb-ft).

11. Tighten the shock absorber bolt to 175 Nm (129 lb-ft).

12. Tighten the trailing arm-to-wheel knuckle nut to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft).

13. Tighten the toe link-to-knuckle nut to 80 Nm (59 lb-ft).

14. Install the brake disc.

15. Install the wheel and tire.

16. Check and if necessary, adjust the rear toe.