Rear Knuckle: Service and Repair

Rear Suspension

Wheel Knuckle





NOTE: All-Wheel Drive (AWD) MKZ vehicle shown, other vehicles similar.










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. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.

2. Detach the 2 wheel speed sensor harness retainers.





3. Remove the wheel speed sensor bolt and position the sensor aside.

4. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the brake caliper in the following sequence.

1. Remove the clip.

2. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the brake caliper.

5. NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.

Remove and discard the wheel hub nut.

6. NOTICE: Do not allow the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly to hang from the brake hose or damage to the hose can occur.

Remove the anchor plate bolts and position the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly aside.

- Support the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly using mechanic's wire.

7. Remove the 2 brake disc bolts and the brake disc.

8. Using the Front Wheel Hub Remover, separate the halfshaft from the wheel hub.





9. Remove and discard the shock absorber lower bolt and flagnut.
- If equipped, remove the shock absorber damper.

10. Using a suitable jack, raise the lower arm.





11. Remove and discard the upper arm outboard bolt.

12. Remove and discard the lower arm outboard bolt.

13. Remove the 4 trailing arm-to-knuckle nuts and the wheel knuckle.
- Discard the nuts.

Installation

NOTICE: Before tightening any suspension bushing fasteners, the suspension must be at the bushing fastener tightening position. Use a suitable jack to raise the suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to 395 mm (15.55 in). This will prevent incorrect clamp load and bushing damage.

1. Position the wheel knuckle and loosely install the 4 new trailing arm-to-knuckle nuts.

2. Loosely install the new lower arm outboard bolt.

3. Loosely install the new upper arm outboard bolt.

4. Loosely install the new shock absorber lower bolt and flagnut.

5. Install the brake disc and the 2 brake disc bolts.
- Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).

6. Position the brake caliper and anchor plate assembly and install the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 70 Nm (52 lb-ft).

7. Using the Halfshaft Installer, install the halfshaft into the wheel hub.





8. NOTICE: Do not tighten the wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground. The nut must be tightened to specification before the vehicle is lowered onto the wheels. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is loaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

Install a new wheel hub nut.

- While applying the brakes to prevent the wheel hub nut from turning, tighten to 255 Nm (189 lb-ft).

9. Stake the new nut in line with the keyway to a recommended depth of 1 mm (0.039 in) below the keyway diameter to engage the locking feature.





10. Connect the parking brake cable to the brake caliper in the following sequence.

1. Install the clip.

2. Connect the parking brake cable to the brake caliper.

11. Install the wheel speed sensor and the bolt.
- Tighten to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).

12. Attach the 2 wheel speed sensor harness retainers.





13. NOTICE: Before tightening any suspension bushing fasteners, the suspension must be at the bushing fastener tightening position. Use a suitable jack to raise the suspension until the distance between the center of the hub and the lip of the fender is equal to 395 mm (15.55 in). This will prevent unequal clamp load and bushing damage.

Using the positioned suitable jack, raise the lower arm to bushing fastener tightening position.





14. Tighten the 4 trailing arm-to-knuckle nuts to 100 Nm (74 lb-ft).

15. Tighten the lower arm outboard bolt to 103 Nm (76 lb-ft).

16. Tighten the upper arm outboard bolt to 110 Nm (81 lb-ft).

17. Tighten the shock absorber lower bolt.
- Tighten to 90 Nm (66 lb-ft), All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles.

- Tighten to 115 Nm (85 lb-ft), Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles.

18. Lower and remove the jack.