Steering Knuckle Replacement Independent
Removal Procedure
For control arms and components, refer to
Upper Control Arm and Components (Independent Suspension)
Tools Required
J 23742 Ball Joint Separator
- Raise the vehicle.
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
- Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the hub/rotor. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
- Remove the bolts (3) and the washers (4) of the splash shield.
- Remove the gaskets (5).
- Remove the splash shield (2).
- Disconnect the steering knuckle from the tie rod end. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.
- Disconnect the steering knuckle from the upper ball joint. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement .
- Disconnect the steering knuckle from the lower ball joint.
- Inspect the tapered holes in the steering knuckle that attach to the ball joints and the tie rod end.
- Inspect the spindle for wear or damage. If the spindle is damaged or worn, replace the steering knuckle.
Important:
• Raise and support the vehicle on a twin-post hoist in order to
compress the front coil spring and provide accessibility to the wheel and
the steering knuckle assembly. • If a frame hoist is used, support the lower control arm with an
adjustable jackstand in order to safely retain the spring in the curb height
position.
Caution: Floor jack must remain under the lower control arm during removal and installation to retain the lower control arm in position. Failure to do so could result in personal injury.
| 10.1. | Use the J 23742 in order to break the lower ball joint free from the steering knuckle. |
| 10.2. | Lift the steering knuckle off of the lower ball joint. |
| • | Remove any dirt. |
| • | If any tapered hole is out of round, deformed, or damaged in any way, replace the steering knuckle. |
Installation Procedure
For control arms and components, refer to
Upper Control Arm and Components (Independent Suspension)
- Connect the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint. Press the steering knuckle onto the lower ball joint until the knuckle is fully seated.
- Connect the steering knuckle to the upper ball joint. Lower the upper control arm in order to seat the upper ball joint into the steering knuckle.
- Install the lower and the upper control arm nuts.
- Install the cotter pins. If necessary, tighten the nuts an additional amount in order to align the cotter pin.
- Remove the floor jack.
- Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.
- Install the splash shield (2).
- Install the washers (4) and the bolts (3).
- Install the hub/rotor assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
- Install the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
- Adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment .
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 122 N·m (90 lb ft).
Important: Maximum torque on the nuts to align the cotter pin is 175 N·m (130 lb ft).
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 13 N·m (120 lb in).
Steering Knuckle Replacement I-Beam
Removal Procedure
For front axle, steering knuckle, and hub components, refer to
Front Axle, Steering Knuckle, Hub, and Components (I-Beam Suspension)
- Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with safety stands.
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
- Remove the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
- Remove the hub/rotor assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
- Remove the bolts, the washers, and the nuts.
- Remove the anchor plate, the splash shield, and the steering arm.
- Remove the bolts and the washers in order to separate the anchor plate from the splash shield. In order to separate the steering arm from the tie rod and the pitman arm, refer to Tie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.
- Remove the bolts and the washers from the brake hose bracket.
- Remove the brake hose bracket.
- Remove the steering knuckle gaskets.
- Remove the caps from the steering knuckle.
- Remove the nut and washer from the lock pin.
- Remove the lock pin.
- Remove the king pin from the steering knuckle.
- Remove the steering knuckle from the axle.
- Remove the dust seal, the shim, and the thrust bearing.
| • | Pull the anchor plate and the splash shield off of the knuckle. |
| • | The steering arm hangs from the tie rods. |
| • | Drive out the king pin using a drift. |
| • | The spacers and the bushings will also come out. |
Installation Procedure
For front axle, steering knuckle, and hub components, refer to
Front Axle, Steering Knuckle, Hub, and Components (I-Beam Suspension)
- Install the steering knuckle bushings. Ream the new bushings to 29.982-30.022 mm (1.1804-1.1820 in) after installation.
- Install the steering knuckle.
- Install the thrust bearing, the shim, and the dust seal. Prelube the thrust bearing. Refer to Fluid and Lubricant Recommendations in Maintenance and Lubrication.
- Install the king pin and the lock pin.
- Install the washer and the nut.
- Install the steering knuckle gaskets.
- Install the caps on the steering knuckle.
- Install the brake hose bracket.
- Install the brake hose bracket washers and the bolts.
- Install the steering arm, the splash shield, and the anchor plate.
- Install the bolts and the washers that attach the splash shield to the anchor plate.
- Install the bolts, the washers, and the nuts that attach the anchor plate and the steering arm to the steering knuckle.
- Install the steering arm to the steering linkage. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement (I-Beam) in Steering Linkage.
- Install the hub/rotor assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
- Adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment .
- Install the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.
| 4.1. | Prelube the king pin. |
| 4.2. | Insert the spacers in the proper order. |
Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.
Tighten
Tighten the nut to 40 N·m (29 lb ft).
Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 7 N·m (60 lb in).
Tighten
| • | Tighten the bolts to 16 N·m (12 lb ft). |
| • | Tighten the nuts to 312 N·m (230 lb ft). |
