Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair

Fig. 1 Exploded view of front suspension:

1. Loosen two upper strut-to-body attaching nuts, Fig. 1.
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts, then remove drive axle shaft retaining pin, nut and washer.
3. Raise and support front of vehicle. Support vehicle on suitable jackstands.
4. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
5. Install modified outer seal protector J28712 or equivalent.
6. Unfasten brake caliper and position aside, leaving brake line attached.
7. Remove brake disc attaching screws and the disc.
8. Remove outer tie rod-to-steering arm attaching nuts, then separate tie rod from arm using tool No. J24319-01 or equivalent.
9. Remove lower ball joint retaining clip and stud nut, then separate ball joint from steering knuckle using tool J36226 or equivalent. Disregard ``This Side Towards Wheel'' marking on tool. Tool must be turned to opposite position when used on these vehicles.
10. Support drive axle, then separate the axle from front wheel hub using tool No. J36661 or equivalent and remove steering knuckle assembly from vehicle.
11. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Torque lower ball joint nut to 50 ft.lbs
b. Torque tie rod attaching nut to 45 ft.lbs
c. Torque disc-to-wheel hub bolt to 3 ft.lbs
d. With weight of vehicle on wheels, torque new drive axle-to-hub nut to 74 ft.lbs, then back off nut and retorque to 15 ft.lbs. Tighten nut an additional 1/4 turn, then install cotter pin. If necessary, loosen nut slightly to align cotter pin holes.