Steering Knuckle Replacement

Steering Knuckle Replacement

Special Tools

KM-507-C - Ball Joint Remover

Removal Procedure

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).




3. Remove the axle shaft caulking nut. Discard the nut.
4. Remove the lower ball joint nut.





Caution: Use only the recommended tools for separating the ball joint from the knuckle. Failure to use the recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

5. Use the KM-507-C - Ball Joint Remover in order to separate the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.
6. Remove the outer tie rod nut.




7. Use the KM-507-C - Remover (1) in order to separate the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle.

Caution: Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic wire, or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.

Note: DO NOT disconnect the hydraulic brake flexible hose from the caliper.

8. Remove the brake caliper and the pads as an assembly and support the assembly with heavy mechanics wire, or equivalent. Verify there is no tension on the brake hose. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement (Removal and Replacement).
9. Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement (Service and Repair).




10. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor, if equipped. Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).
11. Remove the front strut nuts and bolts.

Caution: Do not overextend the wheel drive shaft. Allowing the inboard joint to overextend can cause separation of the internal components and lead to joint failure.

12. Support the wheel drive shaft.
13. Remove the knuckle assembly.
14. Remove the wheel hub, bearing and seal from the knuckle. Refer to Wheel Hub, Bearing, Knuckle, and Seal Replacement (Front Suspension).
15. Remove the splash shield and the screws from the knuckle.

Installation Procedure





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

1. Install the splash shield to the knuckle with the screws and tighten to 4 Nm (35 lb in).
2. Install the wheel hub, bearing and seal to the knuckle. Refer to Wheel Hub, Bearing, Knuckle, and Seal Replacement (Front Suspension).
3. Install the knuckle assembly to the front strut with the nuts and bolts and tighten to 100 Nm (74 lb ft).
4. Install the ABS wheel speed sensor. Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement (Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement).
5. Install the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement (Service and Repair).
6. Install the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement (Removal and Replacement).




7. Install the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle.
8. Install the lower ball joint nut and tighten to 55 Nm (41 lb ft).
9. Install the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
10. Install the outer tie rod nut and tighten to 45 Nm (33 lb ft).
11. Loosely install a NEW axle shaft caulking nut.
12. Tighten the axle shaft caulking nut to 300 Nm (221 lb ft).
13. Stake the caulking nut.
14. Install the front wheels. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. Inspect the vehicle. Refer to Preliminary Alignment Inspection (Testing and Inspection) and to Straight Ahead Inspection (Removal and Replacement).
17. Measure the wheel alignment.
18. If necessary, adjust the front toe. Refer to Wheel Alignment - Steering Wheel Angle and/or Front Toe Adjustment (Service and Repair).