Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

REMOVAL PROCEDURE

^ Tools Required
- J 21687-02 Ball Joint Remover
- J 22888-D Ball Stud Remover

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
3. On four-wheel drive models, remove the locking hub. Refer to Locking Hub Replacement (Automatic Locking Hub).
4. On two-wheel drive models, remove the hub end cap.





Important: Suspend the caliper assembly with wire (1) in order to prevent damage to the brake hose.

5. Remove the two caliper carrier bolts.
6. Remove the brake caliper from the steering knuckle.





7. Remove the brake rotor (1) from the wheel hub.

If it is not possible to remove the rotor by hand use the following steps in order to remove the rotor:
7.1. Install two 8 mm bolts (2) into the rotor.
7.2. Tighten the bolts in order to force the rotor off of the wheel hub.
8. On ABS equipped vehicles, remove the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor.
9. On ABS equipped vehicles, remove one bolt and the wheel speed sensor from the spindle.
10. Remove the wheel hub and the bearing. Refer to Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub Replacement.
11. Remove the four bolts holding the dust shield to the steering knuckle.

Remove the dust shield from the steering knuckle.

12. Tap the spindle with a hammer in order to remove the spindle from the steering knuckle.





13. Support the control arm (1) with a floor jack (2).





14. Remove the two strut-to-steering knuckle bolts (1) and nuts (3). Separate the strut from the knuckle.
15. Remove the following components:
^ The tie rod end cotter pin
^ The castle nut
16. Use the J 21687-02 in order to remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
17. Remove the following components from the ball stud:
^ The cotter pin
^ The castle nut
18. Use the J 22888-D in order to separate the ball stud from the steering knuckle.
19. Remove the knuckle from the vehicle.
20. Remove the oil seal from the knuckle.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE

^ Tools Required
- J 37750 Steering Knuckle Oil Sealer Installer





1. Use the J 37750 in order to install the new oil seal to the steering knuckle.
2. Install the steering knuckle to the ball stud. Secure the steering knuckle with the castle nut. Finger tighten the nut.

NOTICE: Always use the correct fastener in the proper location. When you replace a fastener, use ONLY the exact part number for that application. The manufacturer will call out those fasteners that require a replacement after removal. The manufacturer will also call out the fasteners that require thread lockers or thread sealant. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, do not use supplemental coatings (paints, greases, or other corrosion inhibitors) on threaded fasteners or fastener joint interfaces. Generally, such coatings adversely affect the fastener torque and joint clamping force, and may damage the fastener. When you install fasteners, use the correct tightening sequence and specifications. Following these instructions can help you avoid damage to parts and systems.





3. Install the steering knuckle to the strut. Secure the steering knuckle with two nuts (3) and bolts (1).

^ Tighten the ball stud castle nut to 58 Nm (43 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the strut-to-knuckle nuts and bolts to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).

4. Install the tie rod end to the knuckle. Secure the tie rod with a castle nut.

Tighten the tie rod end castle nut to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).

5. Remove the floor jack.
6. Install the cotter pins to the ball stud and the tie rod end.
7. Fill the recess in the wheel spindle with 10 g (0.35 oz) of GM Lubricate P/N 1052196, or the equivalent.
8. Install the spindle to the steering knuckle.
9. Install the dust shield to the steering knuckle. Secure the dust shield with four bolts.

Tighten the dust shield bolts to 15 Nm (11 ft. lbs.).

10. Install the wheel hub and bearing. Refer to Wheel Bearing and Wheel Hub Replacement.
11. On ABS equipped vehicles, connect the wheel speed sensor to the spindle. Secure the sensor with one bolt.

Tighten the wheel speed sensor retaining bolt to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.).

12. On ABS equipped vehicles, install the electrical connector to the wheel speed sensor.
13. Install the brake rotor to the wheel hub.
14. Install the brake caliper to the rotor and the steering knuckle. Secure the brake caliper with two caliper carrier bolts.

Tighten the brake caliper carrier bolts to 88 Nm (65 ft. lbs.).

15. On two-wheel drive models, install the hub end cap.
16. On four-wheel drive models, install the locking hub. Refer to Locking Hub Replacement (Automatic Locking Hub).
17. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
18. Lower the vehicle.