Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

FRONT AXLE

Front Hub/Knuckle





Components

Removal





1. Remove the caliper assembly and suspend it with wires.





2. Using the special tool, remove the drive shaft nut.





3. Using the special tool, disconnect the tie rod end from the knuckle.

NOTE:
1) Be sure to tie a cord to the special tool and to a nearby part.
2) Loosen the nut but do not remove it.





4. Using the special tool, disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the knuckle.





5. Using the special tool, disconnect the drive shaft from the hub.
6. Remove the speed sensor. (vehicle with ABS)
7. Remove the front disc and knuckle.

Inspection

1. Check the hub for cracks and the splines for wear.
2. Check the snap ring for cracking or damage.
3. Check the steering knuckle for cracks.

Disassembly





1. Remove the snap ring.





2. Attach the special tools to the knuckle and hub.
3. Secure the knuckle in a vise.
4. Tighten the nut of the special tool and remove the hub from the knuckle.

NOTE:
When removing wheel hub or wheel bearing from knuckle, replace wheel bearing assembly (outer race, inner races and grease seals) with a new one.





5. Using the special tool, remove the wheel bearing inner race (outside) from the front hub.





6. Install the inner race (outside) that was removed from the hub to the wheel bearing, and then use the special tool to remove the wheel bearing.

Inspection

1. Check the hub and brake disc mounting surfaces for scoring and contamination.
2. Check the knuckle inner surface for scoring and cracks.
3. Check for a defective bearing (Refer to "wheel bearing trouble shooting ".)

Reassembly





1. Fill the wheel bearing with multipurpose grease.
2. Apply a thin coating of multipurpose grease to the knuckle and bearing contact surfaces.
3. Press-in the bearing by using the special tool.

NOTE: Do not press inner race of wheel bearing assembly.





4. Install snap ring into groove of knuckle.





5. Install the disc to the hub, and torque to specification.

Tightening torque:
50 - 60 Nm (36 - 43 ft. lbs.)

6. Use the special tool to mount the hub onto the knuckle.

7. Tighten the hub to the knuckle to 200 - 260 Nm (148 - 192 ft. lbs.) with the special tool.

8. Rotate the hub to seat the bearing.
9. Measure the wheel bearing starting torque.

Standard value:
Starting torque 1.8 Nm (16 ft. lbs.)





10. Measure to determine whether the end play of the hub is within the specified limit or not.

Standard value:
Hub end play 0.008 mm (0.0003 inch)

11. Remove the special tool.
12. Apply the recommended grease to the bearing and to the inside of the knuckle.

Recommended grease Multipurpose grease SAE J310a, NLGI grade #2

Installation
1. Install parts to torque specifications.
2. Be sure to install the washer and wheel bearing nut in the specified direction.
3. After installing the wheel, lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel bearing nut.
4. If the position of the split pin holes do not match, tighten the nut up to 260 Nm (2600 kg cm, 188 lb ft) maximum.
5. Install the split pin in the first matching holes and bend it over.