Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair
WHEEL KNUCKLE-4WDRemoval
Note:
^ When a new wheel knuckle is installed a new wheel bearing must also be installed.
1. Raise the vehicle on the hoist.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
1. If necessary, remove the center cap.
2. Remove the nuts.
Caution:
^ Use of a brake drum puller or a torch is not recommended. Brake drum distortion can occur.
3. Remove the brake drum.
^ If equipped, remove the brake drum retaining clips.
4. If the brake drum will not come off, follow these steps.
1. Move the brake shoe adjusting lever off the brake adjuster screw.
2. Loosen the brake shoe adjuster screw nut by adjusting the nut upward.
Caution:
^ Anti-seize compound must be applied to the halfshaft before removing the nut to avoid damaging the halfshaft.
5. Remove the rear halfshaft nut and discard.
6. Using the special tool, loosen the halfshaft from the wheel hub.
7. Using the special tool, remove the wheel hub.
Note:
^ This step may not be necessary if the inner wheel bearing race remains in the wheel knuckle, after removing the wheel hub.
8. Using the special tool, press the inner wheel bearing race from the wheel hub.
9. Remove the snap ring.
Vehicles with ABS
10. Position the anti-lock brake (ABS) sensor aside.
1. Remove the ABS sensor bolt and bracket bolts.
2. Position the ABS sensor aside.
11. Disconnect the parking brake cable.
^ Remove the parking brake cable bolt from the wheel knuckle.
12. Remove brake line bracket bolt.
13. Support the wheel knuckle.
14. Remove the lower shock absorber nut.
Note:
^ It may be necessary to hold the ball joint stud to keep it from turning while removing the nut.
15. Disconnect the lower ball joint.
^ Remove the nut.
Note:
^ It may be necessary to hold the ball joint stud to keep it from turning while removing the nut.
16. Disconnect the upper ball joint.
^ Remove the nut.
Note:
^ Note the position of the spring insulator and spring for installation.
17. Remove the spring.
^ Lower the support to the wheel knuckle.
18. Remove the wheel knuckle cam bolt and nut.
1. Mark the position of the adjustment cam notch.
2. Remove the wheel knuckle cam bolt and nut.
19. Remove the wheel knuckle.
1. Remove the wheel knuckle cam.
2. Remove the wheel knuckle.
20. Remove the brake backing plate from the wheel knuckle.
1. Remove the bolts.
2. Remove the brake backing plate from the wheel knuckle.
Installation
1. Using the special tools, install a new wheel bearing into the wheel knuckle.
2. Install the snap ring into the wheel knuckle.
3. Position the wheel knuckle and install the wheel knuckle cam.
4. Install the wheel knuckle cam bolt loosely.
Note:
^ Brake shoes shown removed for clarity.
5. Install the brake backing plate into the wheel knuckle.
^ Install the bolts.
6. Using the special tools, install the wheel hub.
7. Position the halfshaft into the wheel hub.
8. Support the wheel knuckle and install the spring.
9. Install the lower shock absorber nut.
10. Remove the support from the wheel knuckle.
11. Install the upper ball joint.
^ Install the nut.
12. Install the lower ball joint.
^ Install the nut.
13. Tighten the wheel knuckle cam bolt and nut.
1. Align the wheel knuckle cam.
2. Tighten the wheel knuckle cam bolt and nut.
14. Install brake line bracket bolt.
15. Install the parking brake cable bolt.
Vehicles with ABS
16. Position the ABS brake sensor and bracket bolts.
^ Install the bolts.
17. Using the special tool, install the halfshaft end into the hub assembly.
Note:
^ Halfshaft must be clean and free of debris before installing the halfshaft nut.
18. Install the halfshaft nut.
19. Install the brake drum.
20. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
21. Check and adjust the wheel alignment as necessary.