Rear Suspension: Knuckle: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Dodge Stratus and 2005 Chrysler Sebring. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCEDURE) .
Remove rear wheel and tire assembly.

If vehicle is equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), remove rear wheel speed sensor from brake flex hose routing bracket. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Speed Sensor Cable Attachment To Control Arm

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - UPPER CONTROL ARM

2 - SHOCK ABSORBER

3 - SPEED SENSOR CABLE ROUTING CLIPS

4 - BOLT

5 - SPEED SENSOR CABLE

6 - BRAKE FLEX HOSE BRACKET

7 - BOLT

8 - BRAKES

If equipped with ABS, remove wheel speed sensor head mounting bolt. See Figure.
If equipped with rear drum brakes, remove brake drum. (Refer to BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/DRUM - REMOVAL)
If equipped with rear disc brakes, remove caliper and rotor. (Refer to BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/BRAKE PADS/SHOES - REMOVAL)

Remove rear hub and bearing assembly retaining nut and washer, then remove hub and bearing assembly. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Hub/Bearing Assembly Retaining Nut

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1 - RETAINING NUT

2 - SPINDLE

3 - HUB/BEARING ASSEMBLY

If equipped with rear drum brakes, remove parking brake cable from parking brake actuating lever, then remove cable from drum brake support plate. (Refer to BRAKES/PARKING BRAKE/CABLES - REMOVAL)

Remove four bolts attaching drum brake support plate/disc brake adapter to knuckle. See Fig 3.

Fig 3: Rear Brake Support Plate Mounting Bolts

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1 - REAR BRAKE SUPPORT PLATE

2 - REAR KNUCKLE

3 - BRAKE SUPPORT PLATE ATTACHING BOLTS

Remove drum brake support plate, brake shoes and wheel cylinder assembly/disc brake adapter from knuckle. It is not necessary to remove brake flex hose from drum brake wheel cylinder when removing support plate. Once drum brake assembly is removed, hang plate from rear shock assembly using mechanics wire as shown. See Fig 4. Do not allow drum brake assembly to hang by flex hose.

Fig 4: Correctly Stored Rear Brake Support Plate

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1 - WIRE HANGER

2 - REAR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY

3 - REAR BRAKE SUPPORT PLATE

Remove nuts and bolts attaching the forward and rear lateral links to knuckle. See Fig 5.

Fig 5: Lateral Link Attachment To Rear Knuckle

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1 - BOLT

2 - KNUCKLE

3 - REAR LATERAL LINK

4 - BOLT

5 - FORWARD LATERAL LINK

Back off nut retaining upper control arm ball joint to knuckle until it is flush with the end of the ball joint stud. Leaving the nut on in this fashion will protect threads from damage during next step.

Release ball joint stud from knuckle using Puller, Special Tool, CT-1106. See Fig 6.

Fig 6: Removing Ball Joint Stud From Knuckle

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - BALL JOINT

2 - SPECIAL TOOL CT1106

3 - BALL JOINT STUD

4 - KNUCKLE

Remove nut retaining upper control arm ball joint to knuckle.
Remove nut and washer attaching trailing link to rear knuckle. Use a wrench on the flat of the trailing link to keep it from turning when removing nut. See Fig 7.

Fig 7: Trailing Link Attachment To Rear Knuckle
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - TENSION NUT

2 - WRENCH

3 - KNUCKLE
Remove the shock absorber clevis bracket to knuckle attaching nut and bolt. See Fig 8.

Fig 8: Shock Absorber Attachment To Knuckle
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - SHOCK ABSORBER CLEVIS BRACKET

2 - KNUCKLE
Remove knuckle from vehicle.