Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Tools Required
J 24319-B Universal Steering Linkage Puller

Removal Procedure





1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
4. Remove the hub with the bearings and the seals. Refer to Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement.
5. Remove the tie rod nut (1).
6. Use the J 24319-B in order to separate the tie rod (3) from the knuckle (2).
7. Remove the 4 bolts from the brake shield.
8. Remove the brake shield from the spindle.
9. Remove the spindle with the drive shaft bearing from the knuckle.
10. Remove the nut from the control arm ball stud.

Caution: To prevent personal Injury and/or component damage, use the proper tools to support the lower control arm when removing the coil spring. The coil spring is under extreme pressure and can become a projectile should the spring separate from the lower control arm before all of the tension is relieved.

11. Support the lower control arm with a jack.





12. Remove the 2 nuts (2) and the 2 bolts (1) from the strut bracket.





13. Use the J 24319-8 in order to remove the knuckle (1) from the ball stud (5).





14. Remove the knuckle cap (4) from the knuckle.

Installation Procedure





1. Install the knuckle cap to the knuckle.
2. Install the knuckle (1) to the ball stud (5).
3. Support the lower control arm (11) with a jack.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

4. Install the 2 nuts (2) and the 2 bolts (1) to the strut bracket.

- Tighten the nuts and the bolts to 95 Nm (69 ft. lbs.).

5. Remove the jack from the lower control arm.
6. Install a new nut to the lower control arm ball stud.

- Tighten the nut to 60 Nm (43.5 ft. lbs.).





7. Install the tie rod (3) to the knuckle (2).
8. Install a new tie rod nut (1).

- Tighten the nut to 43 Nm (31.5 ft. lbs.).





9. Coat the wheel spindle mating surface (2) and the wheel knuckle mating surface (1) with General Motors Sealer, GM P/N 1052366, or the equivalent.
10. Fill the recess in the wheel spindle (2) with 10 g (0.4 oz.) of wheel bearing lubricant, GM P/N 1051344, or the equivalent.
11. Install the wheel spindle (2) to the knuckle (1).





12. Install the brake shield (1) to the spindle.
13. Install the 4 bolts to the brake shield.

- Tighten the bolts to 50 Nm (36.5 ft. lbs.).

14. Install the wheel hub, the bearings, and the seals. Refer to Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement.
15. Install the brake rotor. Refer to Brake Rotor Replacement in Brakes and Traction Control.
16. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
17. Lower the vehicle.
18. Measure the wheel alignment. Adjust the alignment if necessary. Refer to Measuring Wheel Alignment.