Steering Knuckle: Installation
- Slide the drive axle back into the front hub and bearing assembly. Install the steering knuckle on to the lower control arm ball joint.
- Install the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint castle nut. Install the steering knuckle onto the upper ball joint stud and install nut.
- Using a crow foot and torque wrench, tighten the upper and lower ball joint nuts to specifications. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Install cotter pin in lower ball joint stud and castle nut. If vehicle is equipped with ABS brakes, install the speed sensor cable routing bracket on the steering knuckle and securely tighten attaching bolt. See Figure .
- Install tie rod end into the steering knuckle. Start tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut onto stud of tie rod end. While holding the stud of the tie rod end stationary, tighten tie rod end to steering knuckle attaching nut. See Figure . Then using a crowfoot and socket, tighten the attaching nut to specification.
- Install brake rotor, caliper, pads and adapter assembly.
- Clean all foreign matter from the threads of the outer CV joint stub axle. Install hub nut onto the driveshaft stub axle. With vehicle brakes applied to keep the stub axle from turning, tighten hub nut to specification.
- Install wheel and tire assembly. Install wheel lug nuts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Lower vehicle.
- Set front toe on vehicle to required specification. See appropriate WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in SUSPENSION.
CAUTION:
When installing tie rod on steering knuckle the heat shield must be installed. See Fig 1
. If heat shield is not installed, tie rod seal boot can fail due to excessive heat from brake rotor.