Front Suspension: Knuckle: Removal

Raise vehicle. (Refer toHOISTING in LUBRICATION & MAINTENANCE article).
Remove front tire and wheel assembly from hub.
CAUTION: Wheel bearing damage will result if hub nut is loosened, then vehicle is rolled on the ground or the weight of the vehicle is allowed to be supported by the tires.
Loosen hub nut with brakes applied.The hub and driveshaft are splined together through the knuckle (bearing) and retained by the hub nut.
Remove disc brake caliper, adapter, shoes and rotor from steering knuckle. (Refer to BRAKES/HYDRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - REMOVAL)

Remove nut attaching outer tie rod to steering knuckle. See Fig 1. Remove nut from tie rod by holding tie rod stud with a socket while loosening and removing nut with wrench. See Fig 1 .

Fig 1: Removing/Installing Tie Rod End Nut

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - TIE ROD

2 - HEAT SHIELD

3 - STEERING KNUCKLE

4 - TIE ROD STUD

5 - NUT

Remove the tie rod end from the steering knuckle using Remover, Special Tool C-3894-A.

Remove ABS wheel speed sensor cable routing bracket from steering knuckle. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Speed Sensor Cable Routing Bracket

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CABLE

2 - SPEED SENSOR CABLE ROUTING BRACKET

3 - STEERING KNUCKLE

4 - ATTACHING BOLT

5 - BRAKE CALIPER FLEX HOSE

Remove cotter pin and castle nut from lower ball joint stud. See Fig 3.

Fig 3: Lower Ball Joint Attachment To Steering Knuckle

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - DRIVESHAFT

2 - COTTER PIN

3 - CASTLE NUT

4 - HEAT SHIELD

5 - LOWER CONTROL ARM

6 - SHOCK ABSORBER CLEVIS

CAUTION: No tool is to be inserted between the steering knuckle and the lower ball joint to separate stud of lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. The steering knuckle is to be separated from the stud of the ball joint only using the procedure as described in step 9 below.

CAUTION: When striking the steering knuckle, do not hit the heat shield covering the ball joint grease seal. Bending the heat shield against the ball joint grease seal will cause the grease seal to fail.

Turn steering knuckle so front of it is facing as far outboard in wheel well as possible. Using a hammer, strike boss on steering knuckle until steering knuckle separates from lower ball joint stud. See Fig 4.

Fig 4: Separating Lower Ball Joint Stud From Steering Knuckle

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - HAMMER

2 - BALL JOINT STUD

3 - STEERING KNUCKLE BOSS

4 - HEAT SHIELD

5 - LOWER CONTROL ARM

CAUTION: Care must be taken not to separate the inner C/V joint during the following steps. Pulling steering knuckle out from vehicle after releasing from ball joint can separate inner C/V joint, thus damaging it. Do not allow driveshaft to hang by inner C/V joint; driveshaft must be supported upon removal from knuckle.

Lift up on steering knuckle separating it from lower ball joint stud. Use caution when separating ball joint stud from steering knuckle so ball joint seal does not get cut.

Separate steering knuckle from outer C/V joint. Separate steering knuckle from outer C/V joint holding driveshaft in place while pulling steering knuckle away from outer C/V joint. See Fig 5.

Fig 5: Separating Steering Knuckle From Driveshaft

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - HUB/BEARING

2 - BEARING SHIELD

3 - OUTER C/V JOINT

4 - STEERING KNUCKLE

Remove nut from upper ball joint stud.

Remove upper ball joint stud from steering knuckle using Puller, Special Tool, C-3894-A. See Fig 6.

Fig 6: Ball Joint Stud Removal From Steering Knuckle

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - BALL JOINT

2 - BALL JOINT STUD

3 - SPECIAL TOOL C-3894-A

4 - SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY

5 - UPPER CONTROL ARM

Remove steering knuckle from vehicle.
If necessary, remove lower ball joint grease seal heat shield on steering knuckle.
If steering knuckle is being replaced and hub and bearing is found to be in usable condition, it can be transferred to replacement steering knuckle. To remove the hub and bearing, (Refer to SUSPENSION/FRONT/HUB / BEARING - REMOVAL) .