Rear Knuckle: Service and Repair

Knuckle Replacement

Removal Procedure
1. Apply the park brake.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Remove the rear tire and wheel assembly.





4. Remove the nut (4) in order to separate the stabilizer shaft link stud from the knuckle.
5. Remove and discard the cotter pin from the wheel drive shaft nut.
6. Remove the lock cap from the wheel drive shaft nut.
7. Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft nut.
8. Release the park brake.
9. If the vehicle has ABS, remove the rear wheel speed sensor and pigtail.
10. Remove the brake drum.
11. Remove the brake shoes and the brake hardware.
12. Use containers in order to catch the brake fluid.
13. Remove the wheel cylinder.





14. Use paint in order to place match marks (1,2) on the camber adjust cams.
15. Remove the nut (3) and the cam.
16. Remove the cam bolt.





17. Remove the nut (1) and the bolt in order to separate the lower control arm from the knuckle.





18. Remove the nut (2) and the bolt (3) in order to separate the upper control arm (1) from the knuckle.

Important: Support the wheel drive shaft.

19. Remove the knuckle from the wheel drive shaft.
20. Remove the wheel bearing and hub assembly.
21. Remove the drum brake backing plate.

Installation Procedure
1. Install the drum brake backing plate and the wheel bearing and hub assembly to the knuckle.
2. Install the knuckle to the wheel drive shaft.





Important: Do not tighten the nuts or the bolts on the control arms. The weight of the vehicle must be on the tire and wheel assemblies before tightening the nuts and the bolts.

3. Install the bolt (3) and the nut (2) in order to retain the knuckle to the upper control arm (1).





4. Install the bolt and the nut (1) to the front of the rear lower control arm.





5. Align the match marks (1,2) and install the cam bolt to the rear of the rear lower control arm.
6. Align the match marks and install the cam to the cam bolt.
7. Install the nut (3) to the cam bolt.
8. Install the wheel cylinder.
9. Install the brake shoes and the brake hardware.
10. Install the brake drum.
11. Apply the park brake.
12. Install a NEW wheel drive shaft spindle nut.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

13. Slowly tighten the nut in order to draw the wheel drive shaft spindle into the wheel bearing and hub.
^ Tighten the nut to 216 Nm (159.3 ft. lbs.).
14. Install the lock cap.
15. Install a NEW cotter pin.
16. If the vehicle has ABS, install the rear wheel speed sensor and pigtail.





17. Install the nut (4) in order to retain the stabilizer shaft link stud to the knuckle.
^ Tighten the nut to 44 Nm (32.5 ft. lbs.).
18. Install the rear tire and wheel assembly.
19. Lower the vehicle.
20. Bounce the rear of the vehicle in order to stabilize the suspension.

Important: The weight of the vehicle must be on the tire and wheel assemblies.

21. Tighten the nut and the bolt that retains the upper control arm to the knuckle.
^ Tighten the nut and the bolt to 74 Nm (54.6 ft. lbs.).
22. Align the match marks and tighten the nut and the cam bolt that retains the rear of the lower control arm to the knuckle.
^ Tighten the nut and the bolt to 74 Nm (54.6 ft. lbs.).
23. Tighten the nut and the bolt that retains the front of the lower control arm to the knuckle.
^ Tighten the nut and the bolt to 74 Nm (54.6 ft. lbs.).
24. Release the park brake.
25. Bleed the brake system.
26. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust if necessary.