GM 18060560
Knuckle, Passenger Side

The coil spring suspension replacement of a Steering Knuckle requires first lifting and supporting the vehicle and then removing the tire followed by the wheel. A suitable jack should be used to support the lower Control Arm during Wheel Hub and bearing removal. First disconnect the electronic suspension control (ESC) link rod from its sensor before detaching the outer tie rod from the knuckle. First remove the brake hose bracket retaining bolt from the knuckle and then use j 43631 Ball Joint remover with j 45851 Ball Joint separator protector adapters to remove the upper retaining nut which isolates the upper Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle followed by removing the lower Ball Joint. The mechanic should remove the Steering Knuckle followed by a cleaning step which removes contaminants from the upper and lower ball joints as well as the Tie Rod End while checking the tapered areas of the knuckle. Steering knuckles must be replaced when tapered holes show signs of elongation or out-of-roundness or damage. Lay the Steering Knuckle into position then attach the lower Ball Joint next and finish with the retaining nut tightened to 100 nm (74 ft. Lbs.). The upper Ball Joint requires installation on the Steering Knuckle before implementing its retaining nut which should get tightened to 50 nm (37 ft. Lbs.). The brake hose bracket retaining bolt fits onto the knuckle and receives a torque of 9 nm (80 inch lbs.). Now secure the outer tie rod into position on the Steering Knuckle and the Wheel Hub and bearing assembly. Attach esc link rod to sensor before installing tire and wheel and removing vehicle stands before lowering the car.

Service and repair of steering knuckles requires beginning with hub and bearing assembly removal. The service starts with removing the outer tie rod ball stud nut's cotter pin followed by removing the outer tie rod ball stud nut itself. The universal steering linkage puller tool number j 24319-b can break the connection between the outer Tie Rod End and Steering Knuckle. Next in sequence remove the upper Ball Joint and the lower Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle. Take out the Steering Knuckle completely from the vehicle after removing its other components. Start by placing the Steering Knuckle onto both ball studs of the upper and lower ball joints. Before moving forward thread the upper and lower ball joints into their respective positions on the Steering Knuckle. Attach the Steering Knuckle to the Tie Rod End ball stud. Screw and torque the outer tie rod ball stud nut to 53 nm (39 ft. Lbs.). The outer tie rod stud nut requires a new cotter pin which must be inserted and its ends should be bent against the nut flat areas before the hub and bearing assembly is removed.

Reinstall the wheel hub and bearing, and check the front wheel alignment.