Front Steering Knuckle: Service and Repair
REMOVAL1. Hoist vehicle and remove wheel.
2. Remove axle shaft drive flange, drive shaft circlip and front spindle thrust washer (for 4WD vehicle) or front hub cap (for 2WD vehicle). Refer to steps 3 to 4 of item Coil Spring Removal.
3. Remove wheel hub. Refer to steps 3 to 9 of item Wheel Hub/Bearing/Oil Seal Removal.
4. Disconnect tie-rod end from knuckle.
5. Remove ball stud nut.
6. Support lower arm with jack.
7. Remove strut bracket bolts from strut bracket.
8. By using puller, disconnect knuckle from ball stud.
9. While lowering jack, remove knuckle/wheel spindle comp.
10. Remove inner oil seal (for 4WD vehicle), dust cover and wheel spindle.
11. For 4WD vehicle
Remove drive shaft bearing by using special tool.
Special Tool
(A): 09923-74510
(B): 09930-30102
INSTALLATION
Reverse removal sequence to install knuckle, wheel spindle oil seal and drive shaft bearing, noting following points.
- For 4WD vehicle
Install drive shaft bearing by using special tool.
Special Tool (A): 09913-76010
Dimension "a": 0-1 mm (0-0.04 inch)
- When installing wheel spindle to knuckle, coat their mating surfaces with sealant.
"A": Sealant 99000-31110
- For 4WD vehicle
Also, fill recess in wheel spindle with about 10 grams lithium grease.
"B": Grease 99000-25010
- Tighten wheel spindle nut to specified torque.
Tightening Torque (a): 50 Nm (5.0 kg-m, 36.5 ft. lbs.)
- For 4WD vehicle
Press-fitting inner oil seal.
Drive in inner oil seal until its end contacts stepped surface of knuckle using special tools.
Special Tool
(B): 09944-66010
(C): 09924-74510
- Apply lithium grease to oil seal lip and into its hollow to fill more than 60% of its vacant space.
"B": Grease 99000-25010
- Apply grease and install front drive shaft thrust washer with its chamfered side facing to center side.
"A": Grease 99000-25010
- For 2WD vehicle
Apply water tight sealant to mating surface of knuckle and install knuckle cap to knuckle.
"A": Sealant 99000-31090
- Bending ball stud split pin.
After tightening ball stud castle nut, bend split pin so that it is in close contact with stud head or castle nut as shown. Also, be sure to insert its bent end so that its projection ("A" in figure) is made as small as possible.
Tightening Torque (a): 55 Nm (5.5 kg-m, 39.0 ft. lbs.)
- For 2WD vehicle
Apply water tight sealant to mating surface of wheel hub and install hub cap to wheel hub.
- For 4WD vehicle
When installing axle shaft drive flange to wheel hub, apply sealant to mating surface of axle shaft drive flange.
"A": Sealant 99000-31090
Tightening Torque (a): 48 Nm (4.8 kg-m, 35.0 ft. lbs.)
- Connect tie-rod end to knuckle and tighten new tie-rod end nut.
- For installation procedures following the above, refer to Wheel Hub/Bearing/Oil Seal Installation.
- Tightening torque.
For any tightening torque other than those specified in text, refer to Specification.