Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Fig. 1 Front suspension. 1984-88 Civic & CRX:

1. Remove spindle nut locking device, then loosen spindle nut.
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts.
3. Raise and support front of vehicle, then remove front wheels and spindle nut.
4. Remove brake caliper and wire aside. Do not allow caliper assembly to hang from brake hose.
5. Remove brake disc attaching screws, then thread two 8 x 1.25 x 12 mm bolts into attaching screw holes to pull disc from hub. When tightening screws, turn only two turns at a time to prevent cocking the brake disc.
6. Remove tie rod end cotter pin and nut.
7. Remove tie rod end using suitable tie rod end remover.
8. Place a suitable floor jack under lower arm and raise slightly to restrain lower arm. Ensure jack is positioned securely under lower arm at the ball joint to prevent torsion bar tension causing steering knuckle to jump when lower ball joint is removed.
9. Remove ball joint cotter pin and nut.
10. Pry ball joint from steering knuckle. If necessary, a ball joint removal tool may be used.
11. Remove shock absorber to lower arm pinch bolt, Fig. 1, then slowly lower jack.
12. To remove knuckle assembly, tap down with suitable brass or lead hammer until knuckle clears shock absorber.
13. Pull driveshaft out of knuckle, then remove hub/knuckle assembly.
14. Remove two splash guard to knuckle attaching screws, then the splash guard.
15. Remove hub from steering knuckle with a suitable press.
16. Remove bearing circlip, then press bearings from steering knuckle.
17. Remove outboard bearing inner race with bearing remover.
18. Install replacement bearings and races with suitable press. Install circlip.
19. Press in wheel hub.
20. Reverse remaining procedure to install. Refer to Fig. 1 for torque specifications.