Special Tools

J 6627-A Tie Rod Puller

Note: You may remove the following components as an assembly:

•	The steering knuckle

•	The lower ball joint

•	The front hub

•	The wheel studs

•	The front wheel bearing

•	The disc brake shield

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor from the steering knuckle. Position the sensor to the side. Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement.
4. Support the front wheel drive shaft with wire.
5. Unstake the front wheel drive shaft nut.
6. Remove the drive shaft nut from the drive axle while an assistant presses the brake pedal.



7. Remove the 2 nuts (1, 2) and the bolt (3) from the lower control arm.
8. Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement.
9. Loosen the nuts on the lower side of the strut assembly. Do not remove the bolts.



10. Remove the cotter pin (2).
11. Remove the outer tie rod end nut (1).
12. Use the J 6627-A puller , or equivalent, in order to separate the outer tie rod end from the knuckle.



13. Remove the 2 nuts (6) and the 2 bolts (1) from lower side of the strut assembly.
14. Remove the steering knuckle assembly from the strut.

Note: If you are replacing the steering knuckle, continue with this procedure.

15. Remove the front wheel bearing and the disc brake shield. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement.
16. Remove the steering knuckle cotter pin (5) and the ball stud nut (4).
17. Remove the ball joint (3) from the steering knuckle.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.





Note: Do not loosen the nut in order to insert the cotter pin.

1. Install the ball joint (3) and the nut (4) to the steering knuckle (2). If the vehicle has the 1.8L VIN 8 engine, tighten the nut to 103 N·m (76 lb ft). If the vehicle has the 2.4L VIN 0 engine, tighten the nut to 123 N·m (91 lb ft). With either engine, tighten the nut up to 1/6 additional turn in order to insert the cotter pin.
2. Install a NEW cotter pin (5) to the ball joint stud. Bend the cotter pin ends in order to retain the nut.
3. Install the front wheel bearing and the disc brake shield to the steering knuckle. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement.

Note: Do not tighten the nuts or the bolts yet.

4. Install the following components to the lower side of the strut assembly:

•	The steering knuckle

•	The 2 bolts (1)

•	The 2 nuts (6)

Note: Do not loosen the nut in order to insert the cotter pin.

5. Install the outer tie rod end and the nut to the steering knuckle. Tighten the nut to 49 N·m (36 lb ft). Tighten the nut up to 1/6 additional turn in order to insert the cotter pin.
6. Install a NEW cotter pin to the outer tie rod end ball joint stud. Bend the cotter pin ends in order to retain the nut.
7. Install the front brake rotor. Refer to Front Brake Rotor Replacement.
8. Install a NEW drive shaft nut while an assistant applies the brakes. Tighten the nut to 216 N·m (159 lb ft).
9. Stake the drive shaft nut into the slot on the wheel drive shaft.
10. Remove the wire supporting the front wheel drive shaft.



11. Install the bolt (3) and the 2 nuts (1, 2) to the control arm. Tighten the bolt and the 2 nuts to 89 N·m (66 lb ft).
12. Tighten the nuts and the bolts that retain the knuckle to the strut assembly to 240 N·m (177 lb ft).
13. Install the ABS wheel speed sensor to the knuckle. Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement.
14. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. Measure the front wheel alignment. Adjust as necessary. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement.