Front Axle

REMOVAL

CAUTION:
Before removing the front axle assembly, disconnect the ABS wheel sensor from the assembly. Move it away from the front axle assembly area. Failure to do so may result in damaged sensor wires and the sensor becoming inoperative.





1. Remove wheel bearing lock nut.





2. Remove brake caliper assembly and rotor.
- Brake hose need not be disconnected from brake caliper.
- Suspend brake caliper with wire so as not to stretch brake hose.
- Make sure brake hose is not twisted.
- Be careful not to depress brake pedal, or caliper piston will pop out.





3. Separate tie-rod from knuckle with Tool.
- Install stud nut conversely on stud bolt to prevent damage to stud bolt.





4. Remove strut lower mounting bolts.





5. Separate drive shaft from knuckle by lightly tapping it. If it is hard to remove, use a puller.
- When removing drive shaft, cover boots with shop towel to prevent damaging them.
6. Loosen lower ball joint tightening nut.





7. Separate knuckle from lower ball joint stud with Tool.
8. Remove knuckle from transverse link.

INSTALLATION
1. Install knuckle with wheel hub.
- Replace strut lower mounting nuts.
- When installing knuckle to strut, be sure to hold bolts while tightening nuts.
167 -186 Nm (17 - 19 kg-m, 123 - 137 ft. lbs.)
2. Tighten tie-rod ball joint nut.
29 - 39 Nm (3.0 - 4.0 kg-m, 22 - 29 ft. lbs.)
- Apply ATF to threaded portion of drive shaft and both sides of plain washer.





3. Tighten wheel bearing lock nut.
235 - 314 Nm (24 - 32 kg-m, 174 - 231 ft. lbs.)
4. Check wheel bearing axial end play.
Axial end play: 0.05 mm (0.0020 inch) or less.

DISASSEMBLY

CAUTION When removing wheel hub or wheel bearing from knuckle, replace wheel bearing assembly (outer race, inner race and grease seals) with a new one.

Wheel bearing does not usually require maintenance. If any of the following symptoms are noted, replace wheel bearing assembly.
- Growling noise is emitted from wheel bearing during operation.
- Wheel bearing drags or turns roughly. This occurs when turning hub by hand after bearing lock nut is tightened to specified torque.

Wheel hub





Press out hub with inner race (outside) from knuckle with a suitable tool.

Wheel bearing
When replacing wheel bearing, replace wheel bearing assembly (inner race and outer race).





1. Remove bearing inner race (outside), then remove outer grease seal.





2. Remove inner grease seal from knuckle.





3. Remove inner and outer snap rings.





4. Press out bearing outer race.

INSPECTION
Wheel hub and knuckle
Check wheel hub and knuckle for cracks by using a magnetic exploration or dyeing test.

Snap ring
Check snap ring for wear or cracks. Replace if necessary.

ASSEMBLY
1. Install inner snap ring into groove of knuckle.





2. Press new wheel bearing assembly into knuckle.
Maximum load P: 29 kN (3 ton, 3.3 US ton, 3.0 Imp ton)

CAUTION:
- Do not press inner race of wheel bearing assembly.
- Do not apply oil or grease to mating surfaces of whet bearing outer race and knuckle.

3. Install outer snap ring into groove of knuckle.





4. Pack grease seal lip with multi-purpose grease.





5. Install outer grease seal.
Maximum load P: 10 kN (1 ton, 1.1 US ton, 1.0 Imp ton)





6. Install inner grease seal.
Maximum load P: 10 kN (1 ton, 1.1 US ton, 1.0 Imp ton)





7. Press wheel hub into knuckle.
Maximum load P: 29 kN (3 ton, 3.3 US ton, 3.0 Imp ton)
- Be careful not to damage grease seal.
8. Check bearing operation.





a. Add load P with press.
Load P: 34.3 - 68.7 kN (3.5 - 7.0 ton, 3.9 - 7.7 US ton, 3.44 - 6.89 Imp ton)





b. Spin knuckle several turns in both directions.
c. Make sure that wheel bearings operate smoothly.