Steering Knuckle Replacement Independent

For control arms and components, refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement or Lower Control Arm Replacement .

Tools Required

J 23742 Ball Joint Separator

Important: 

•	Raise and support the vehicle on a twin-post hoist in order to compress the front coil spring and provide accessibility to the wheel and the steering knuckle assembly.

•	If a frame hoist is used, support the lower control arm with an adjustable jackstand in order to safely retain the spring in the curb height position.

1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the brake caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
4. Remove the hub/rotor. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .



5. Remove the bolts (3) and the washers (4) of the splash shield.
6. Remove the gaskets (5).
7. Remove the splash shield (2).
8. Disconnect the steering knuckle from the tie rod end. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.

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.

9. Disconnect the steering knuckle from the upper ball joint. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement .



10. Disconnect the steering knuckle from the lower ball joint.

10.1.

Use the J 23742 in order to break the lower ball joint free from the steering knuckle.

10.2.

Lift the steering knuckle off of the lower ball joint.

11. Inspect the tapered holes in the steering knuckle that attach to the ball joints and the tie rod end.

•	Remove any dirt.

•	If any tapered hole is out of round, deformed, or damaged in any way, replace the steering knuckle.

12. Inspect the spindle for wear or damage. If the spindle is damaged or worn, replace the steering knuckle.

For control arms and components, refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement or Lower Control Arm Replacement .

1. Connect the steering knuckle to the lower ball joint. Press the steering knuckle onto the lower ball joint until the knuckle is fully seated.
2. Connect the steering knuckle to the upper ball joint. Lower the upper control arm in order to seat the upper ball joint into 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.

3. Install the lower and the upper control arm nuts.

Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 122 N·m (90 lb ft).

Important: Maximum torque on the nuts to align the cotter pin is 175 N·m (130 lb ft).

4. Install the cotter pins. If necessary, tighten the nuts an additional amount in order to align the cotter pin.
5. Remove the floor jack.
6. Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Tie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.



7. Install the splash shield (2).
8. Install the washers (4) and the bolts (3).

Tighten
Tighten the bolts to 13 N·m (120 lb in).

9. Install the hub/rotor assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
10. Install the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
11. Adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to Wheel Bearing Adjustment .
12. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
13. Lower the vehicle.
14. Check the front wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications in Wheel Alignment.

Steering Knuckle Replacement I-Beam

For front axle, steering knuckle, and hub components, refer to

Front Axle, Steering Knuckle, Hub, and Components (I-Beam Suspension)

(1)	Brake Hose Bracket Bolt
(2)	Brake Hose Bracket Washer
(3)	Brake Hose Bracket
(4)	Steering Knuckle Cap
(5)	Steering Knuckle Cap Gasket
(6)	Steering Knuckle King Pin
(7)	King Pin Bushing
(8)	King Pin Spacer
(9)	Steering Knuckle
(10)	Steering Knuckle Spindle Gasket
(11)	Splash Shield
(12)	Brake Caliper
(13)	Anchor Plate to Steering Knuckle Nut
(14)	Anchor Plate to Steering Knuckle Washer
(15)	Anchor Plate to Steering Knuckle Nut
(16)	Anchor Plate to Steering Knuckle Nut
(17)	Anchor Plate
(18)	Hub/Rotor Nut
(19)	Retainer Cap
(20)	Cotter Pin
(21)	Hub/Rotor Washer
(22)	Outer Wheel Bearing
(23)	Wheel Hub Bolt
(24)	Wheel Hub/Rotor
(25)	Inner Wheel Bearing
(26)	Bearing Seal
(27)	Steering Arm Bolt
(28)	Steering Arm Bolt
(29)	Steering Arm
(30)	Stabilizer Shaft Link to Axle Nut
(31)	Stabilizer Shaft Link to Axle Retainer
(32)	Leaf Spring U-bolt Nut
(33)	Leaf Spring U-bolt Washer
(34)	Front Axle
(35)	Spring Spacer
(36)	Spring Spacer Bolt
(37)	Steering Knuckle to Front Axle Shim
(38)	Steering Knuckle to Front Axle Dust Seal
(39)	Anchor Plate to Steering Knuckle Nut
(40)	Grease Fitting
(41)	Lock Pin
(42)	Lock Pin Nut
(43)	Lock Pin Washer
(44)	Stabilizer Shaft Link Insulator
(45)	Steering Knuckle to Front Axle Thrust Bearing
(46)	Steering Knuckle Cap Gasket
(47)	Steering Knuckle Cap
(48)	Steering Arm Nut
(49)	Cotter Pin

.

1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with safety stands.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the caliper. Refer to Brake Caliper Replacement in Disc Brakes.
4. Remove the hub/rotor assembly. Refer to Front Wheel Hub, Bearing, and Seal Replacement .
5. Remove the following components:

•

The bolts

•	The washers,

•

The nuts

6. Remove the following components:

•	The anchor plate

•	The splash shield

•	The steering arm

•	Pull the anchor plate and the splash shield off of the knuckle.

•	The steering arm hangs from the tie rods.

7. Remove the bolts and the washers in order to separate the anchor plate from the splash shield. In order to separate the steering arm from the tie rod and the pitman arm, refer to Tie Rod Replacement in Steering Linkage.
8. Remove the bolts and the washers from the brake hose bracket.
9. Remove the brake hose bracket.
10. Remove the steering knuckle gaskets.
11. Remove the caps from the steering knuckle.
12. Remove the nut and washer from the lock pin.
13. Remove the lock pin.
14. Remove the king pin from the steering knuckle.

•	Drive out the king pin using a drift.

•	The spacers and the bushings will also come out.

15. Remove the steering knuckle from the axle.
16. Remove the following comonents:

•	The dust seal

•

The shim

•	The thrust bearing

Installation Procedure

For front axle, steering knuckle, and hub components, refer to

Front Axle, Steering Knuckle, Hub, and Components (I-Beam Suspension)