Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair
Front Steering Knuckle:
Removing Spindle Nut:
1. Pry the spindle nut stake away from the spindle, then loosen the nut.
2. Loosen the wheel lug nuts slightly.
3. Raise the front of car and support on safety stands in proper locations.
4. Remove the wheel lug nuts, wheel, and spindle nut.
Mounting Bolt Removal:
5. Remove the caliper bracket mounting bolts and hang the caliper assembly to one side.
CAUTION: To prevent accidental damage to the caliper assembly or brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper assembly from the undercarriage.
6. Clean any dirt or grease off the ball joint.
NOTE: Use Ball Joint Remover, to separate the ball joints from the suspension or steering arm.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot.
7. Remove the cotter pin from the steering arm and remove the nut.
Ball Joint Remove (typical):
8. Apply grease to the special tool on the areas shown. This will ease installation of the tool and prevent damage to the pressure bolt threads.
9. Install a 10 mm hex nut on the ball joint. Be sure that the hex nut is flush with the ball joint pin end to prevent damage to the threaded end of the ball joint.
Tie Rod Ball Joint Removal:
10. Use the ball joint remover, 28 mm as shown.
^ Insert the jaws carefully, making sure you do not damage the ball joint boot. Adjust the jaw spacing by turning the pressure bolt.
NOTE: If necessary, apply penetrating type lubricant to loosen the ball joint.
Adjusting Ball Joint Remover:
11. Once the tool is in place, turn the adjusting bolt as necessary to make the jaws parallel. Then hand- tighten the pressure bolt and recheck the jaws to make sure they are still parallel.
12. With a wrench, tighten the pressure bolt until the ball joint shaft pops loose from the steering arm.
WARNING! Wear eye protection. The ball joint can break loose suddenly and scatter dirt or other debris in your eyes.
13. Remove the tool, then remove the nut from the end of the ball joint and pull the ball joint out of the steering/suspension arm. Inspect the ball joint boot and replace it if damaged.
14. Remove the cotter pin and loosen the lower arm ball joint nut half the length of the joint threads.
Separating Lower Ball Joint From Control Arm:
15. Separate the ball joint and lower arm using a puller with the pawls applied to the lower arm.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot.
16. Remove the knuckle protector.
17. Remove the cotter pin and the upper ball joint nut.
18. Install the 10 mm hex nut on the ball joint. Be sure that the hex nut is flush with the ball joint pin end, or the threaded section of the ball joint pin might be damaged by the ball joint remover.
Separating Upper Ball Joint From Control Arm:
19. Use the ball joint remover, to separate the ball joint and knuckle.
NOTE: If necessary, apply penetrating type lubricant to loosen the ball joint.
Removing Quter CV Joint From Hub Assembly:
20. Pull the knuckle outward and remove the driveshaft outboard joint from the knuckle using a plastic hammer, then remove the knuckle.