Steering Knuckle: Installation
- If the hub and bearing needs to be installed in the knuckle, place the hub and bearing squarely into the center hole of the steering knuckle. Align the threaded mounting holes of the hub and bearing with the mounting holes in the steering knuckle. Install the 4 mounting bolts and tighten them to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Place the knuckle on the ball joint stud. Install a NEW steering knuckle to ball joint stud nut. Tighten the nut by holding ball joint stud with hex wrench while turning nut with a wrench. See Fig 1. Using a crowsfoot wrench on a torque wrench, tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
- Slide the axle shaft stub axle into the hub and bearing assembly. Install the steering knuckle in to the clevis bracket of the strut damper assembly. Install the steering knuckle-to-strut clevis attaching bolts and tighten to specification, in 2 steps. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Install the tie rod end into steering knuckle arm. Start the nut onto the stud of tie rod end. While holding the stud of the tie rod end stationary, using a socket, tighten the tie rod end to the steering knuckle attaching nut to specification. See Figure.
- Install the brake rotor on hub and bearing. Install the disc brake caliper and adapter assembly on the steering knuckle. Install the disc brake caliper adapter-to-steering knuckle mounting bolts and tighten to specification. See Figure.
- Clean any debris from the threads of the outer CV joint stub axle. Install the hub nut on stub axle. See Figure. Have a helper apply the vehicle's brakes to keep hub from turning then tighten the hub nut to specification.
- Install the spring wave washer on the end of the stub axle. Install the hub nut lock and a new cotter pin. Wrap cotter pin prongs tightly around the hub nut lock.
- Install wheel and tire assembly. Tighten wheel lug nuts to specification. Lower vehicle. Set front wheel alignment camber and toe as necessary. See appropriate WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in SUSPENSION.
CAUTION:
Before installing the knuckle on the ball joint stud, wipe the ball joint stud and knuckle contact area free of any grease or debris, otherwise damage to the knuckle can occur. Use a clean shop cloth with Mopar® Brake Parts Cleaner applied to it for proper cleaning. Do not spray the stud directly.
CAUTION:
The steering knuckle to strut clevis attaching bolts are serrated and must not be turned during installation. Install nuts while holding bolts stationary in the steering knuckle. If the vehicle being serviced is equipped with eccentric strut assembly attaching bolts, the eccentric bolt must be installed in the bottom (slotted) hole on the strut clevis bracket. See Fig 2.
NOTE:
The steering knuckle-to-strut clevis bolts are installed differently on each side. Left hand side bolts are to be installed from vehicle rear to front. Right side bolts are to be installed from vehicle front to rear.