Knuckle, Steering: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
NOTE:
Gas engine shown in the illustration, electric vehicle (BEV) similar.
NOTE:
Before proceeding, review all Warnings and Cautions. Refer to FRONT, WARNING .
- Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to HOISTING .
- Remove the wheel mounting bolts (1), then the tire and wheel assembly.
- Remove staking from hub nut (2).
- While a helper applies the brakes to keep the hub from rotating, use a 12 point thin-walled 36mm Craftsman® socket or equivalent to remove the hub nut and discard.
- Access and remove the front brake rotor. Refer to ROTOR, BRAKE, REMOVAL
.
- Remove the screw (1) fastening the wheel speed sensor head to the knuckle. Pull the sensor head out of the knuckle.
- Remove the nut (2) and pinch bolt clamping the ball joint stud (1) to the knuckle (3).
- Remove the nut (4) attaching the outer tie rod (5) to the knuckle (3).
- Release the outer tie rod end (3) from the knuckle (2) using (special tool #9360, Remover, Ball Joint) (1).
- Remove the outer tie rod from the knuckle.
- While holding the stabilizer stud stationary, remove the nut (1) attaching the stabilizer link to the strut. Separate the stabilizer link stud from the strut.
- While holding the bolt heads stationary, remove the two nuts (2) from the bolts (4) attaching the strut to the knuckle (3).
- Remove the two bolts (4) attaching the strut to the knuckle (3).CAUTION:
Use care when separating the ball joint stud (2) from the knuckle (3), so the ball joint seal does not get cut or compressed excessively.
- Using (special tool #9360, Remover, Ball Joint) (1), separate the ball joint stud (2) from the knuckle (3).NOTE:
Do not allow the half shaft to hang by the inner C/V joint; it must be supported to keep the joint from separating during this operation.
- Pull the knuckle off the half shaft outer C/V joint splines and remove the knuckle from the vehicle.