Rear Suspension
Knuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing ReplacementKnuckle/Hub/Wheel Bearing:
Special Tools Required
^ Ball joint thread protector, 12 mm 07AAF-SDAA100
^ Hub dis/assembly tool, 42 mm 07GAF-SD40100
^ Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
^ Attachment, 52 x 55 mm 07746-0010400
^ Attachment, 62 x 68 mm 07746-0010500
^ Driver, 15 x 135L 07749-0010000
^ Support base, 73 x 78/82.6 mm 07965-SD90100
1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.
2. Remove the wheel nuts (A) and rear wheel.
3. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (A), then remove the caliper assembly (B) from the knuckle. To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper assembly from the undercarriage. Do not twist the brake hose excessively.
4. Remove the flange bolt (A) and wheel speed sensor (B) from the knuckle. Do not disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.
5. Raise the stake (A) of the spindle nut (B), and remove the nut.
6. Remove the brake disc.
7. Check the rear hub for damage and cracks.
8. Remove the self-locking nut (A), adjusting cam plate (B), and adjusting bolt (C), then disconnect the control arm (D) from the frame.
9. Remove the lock pin (A) from the control arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).
10. Disconnect the control arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover.
11. Remove the control arm.
12. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).
13. Disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the lower arm using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover.
14. Remove the lock pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).
15. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover.
16. Remove the driveshaft outboard joint (A) from the knuckle (B) by tapping the driveshaft end (C) with a soft face hammer while pulling the knuckle outward.
17. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool and a hydraulic press. Be careful not to deform the splash guard. Hold onto the hub to keep it from falling when pressed clear.
18. Remove the screws (A), the splash guard (B), and the snap ring (C) from the knuckle (D).
19. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the driver, the attachment, and a press.
20. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) out of the hub (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool, a commercially available bearing separator (C), and a press.
21. Wash the knuckle and hub thoroughly in a high flash point solvent before reassembly.
22. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the support base, and a press. Place the wheel bearing on the knuckle with the pack seal side facing (E) (metal color) toward the inside. Be careful not to damage the sleeve of the pack seal.
23. Install the snap ring (A) securely in the knuckle (B).
24. Install the splash guard (C), and tighten the screws (D) to the specified torque value.
25. Install the hub (A) onto the knuckle (B) using the driver, the attachment, the support base, and a hydraulic press. Be careful not to distort the splash guard (C).
26. Install the knuckle in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
^ First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque.
^ Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
^ Use the new spindle nut during reassembly.
^ Before installing the spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the driveshaft.
^ Before connecting the ball joint to the knuckle, degrease the threaded section and tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, the threaded section and mating surfaces of the castle nut.
^ Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.
^ Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surfaces of the rear hub and the inside of the brake disc.
^ Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
^ Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary.