Steering Knuckle Replacement RWD

Tools Required

Caution: Floor jack must remain under the lower control arm during removal and installation to retain the lower control arm in position. Failure to do so could result in personal injury.

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.

•	Support the lower control arm with floor stands.

•	Place floor stands under the lower control arms as far outboard as possible (between spring seats and ball joint) to maintain maximum leverage.

2. Remove the wheel hub and bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .



3. Remove the bolts that attach the splash shield to the steering knuckle.



4. Remove the cotter pin.
5. Remove the tie rod end stud nut.
6. Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle using J 24319-B .



7. Remove the lower ball joint stud from the steering knuckle using J 23742 .



8. Remove the upper ball joint stud from the steering knuckle using J 23742 .
9. Raise the upper control arm. Disengage the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.
10. Remove the steering knuckle from the lower ball joint stud.

10.1.

Clean the steering knuckle.

10.2.

Inspect the steering knuckle tapered hole. Replace the steering knuckle if this tapered hole is out-of-round, deformed, or damaged.

1. Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Upper Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement .
2. Install the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement .



3. Install the splash shield to the steering knuckle.

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

4. Install the splash shield bolts.

Tighten
Tighten the splash shield bolts to 26 N·m (19 lb ft).

5. Install the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.

Ensure that the seal is on the stud.

6. Seat the taper using J 29193 .

Tighten
Tighten J 29193 to 54 N·m (40 lb ft).

Remove J 29193 from the tie rod end ball stud.

7. Install the tie rod end retaining nut.

Tighten
Tighten the tie rod end retaining nut to 53 N·m (39 lb ft).

8. Install the wheel hub and bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.

Steering Knuckle Replacement 4WD

Tools Required

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the wheel hub and bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .



4. Remove the cotter pin from the outer tie rod retaining nut.
5. Remove the outer tie rod retaining nut.
6. Remove the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle using J 24319-B .



7. Remove the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket mounting bolts and nuts from the upper control arm.
8. Disconnect the wheel speed sensor wiring harness bracket and brake hose bracket from the upper control arm.



9. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint retaining nut.
10. Remove the upper ball joint retaining nut.
11. Using a pry bar, placed under the upper control arm and on top of the frame, pry upward.
12. With the aid of a helper, carefully hammer on the steering knuckle in the area of the upper ball joint stud in order to release the stud from the steering knuckle.
13. Remove the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle.
14. Remove the cotter pin from the lower joint retaining nut.
15. Remove the lower ball joint retaining nut.
16. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle using J 43631 .



17. Remove the steering knuckle from the vehicle.
18. Remove the steering knuckle seal.

1. Install the steering knuckle seal.
2. Install the steering knuckle to the upper and lower ball joints ball studs.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.




3. Install the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle retaining nut.

Tighten

•	Tighten the lower ball joint to steering knuckle retaining nut to 108 N·m (79 lb ft).

•	Tighten the lower ball joint retaining nut in order to align the cotter pin. Do not tighten the lower ball joint retaining nut more than 1/6 turn.

4. Install a new cotter pin to the lower ball joint retaining nut. Bend the pin ends against the nut.
5. Install the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle retaining nut.

Tighten

•	Tighten the upper ball joint retaining nut to 83 N·m (61 lb ft).

•	Tighten the upper ball joint retaining nut in order to align the cotter pin. Do not tighten the upper ball joint retaining nut more than 1/6 turn.

6. Install a new cotter pin to the upper ball joint stud. Bend the pin ends against the nut.



7. Install the wheel speed sensor and the brake hose bracket to the upper control arm.
8. Install the wheel speed sensor and the brake hose bracket to the upper control arm mounting bolts and nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel speed sensor and brake hose bracket to the upper control arm nuts to 24 N·m (18 lb ft).




9. Install the tie rod end ball stud to the steering knuckle.
10. Install the outer tie rod ball retaining nut.

Tighten
Tighten the outer tie rod ball retaining nut to 53 N·m (39 lb ft).

11. Install a new cotter pin to the outer tie rod retaining nut. Bend the pin ends against the nut flats.
12. Install the wheel hub and bearing. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
13. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.