Steering Knuckle: Removal
- Raise and support vehicle. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. Remove the cotter pin, nut lock and spring washer from the end of the stub axle and hub nut. See Figure. Have a helper apply the vehicle's brakes to keep hub from turning, loosen and remove the hub nut.
- Remove disc brake caliper and adapter as an assembly from knuckle. See Figure. Hang assembly out of the way using a bungee cord or wire. DO NOT allow caliper to hang by brake hose. Remove the brake rotor. See FRONT BRAKE ROTOR .
- Remove nut attaching outer tie rod end to steering knuckle by holding the tie rod end stud while loosening and removing nut with a wrench. See Fig 1. Remove tie rod end from steering knuckle using Tie Rod End Puller (C-3894-A). See Fig 2.
- Remove the two steering knuckle-to-strut clevis bracket attaching bolts. Tip the knuckle outward and remove the driveshaft stub axle from the hub and bearing. Suspend axle shaft straight outward using a bungee cord or wire. DO NOT allow axle shaft to hang by inner joint.
- Remove ball joint nut using a power impact wrench. Because the tapered stud is held sufficiently in the knuckle at this time, it is not necessary to hold the stud stationary to remove the nut. Reinstall the ball joint nut until the top of the nut is even with the top of the ball joint stud. This will keep the stud from distorting while the stud is released from the knuckle.
- Release ball joint stud from steering knuckle using Ball Joint Press (C-4150A). See Fig 3. Rotate the steering knuckle around so the inside of the knuckle faces outward. Remove the nut from the top of the ball joint stud. Remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle.
- If the hub and bearing needs to be transferred, remove the four bolts attaching the hub and bearing to the knuckle, then remove the hub and bearing.
CAUTION:
DO NOT remove ball joint stud from steering knuckle using a hammer. Damage to the Aluminum knuckle ball joint or control arm will result.