OEM Chevrolet Astro Steering Knuckle

Chevrolet Astro Steering Knuckle Parts and Q&A

• Knuckle, Driver Side
  18060561
  Q: What tools are required to service and repair the steering knuckle on Chevrolet Astro?

  A:

  Service and repairs of steering knuckles need these specific tools: work on the Steering Knuckle requires the tools Tie Rod End puller (J 24319-B) and Ball Joint separator (J 23742). Tie rod end puller (J 24319-B) and Ball Joint separator (J 23742). Raising the vehicle starts the process before removing tires and wheels. To protect the brake line from damage support the caliper with wire before removing the caliper alongside rotor/hub assembly and splash shield together. Service technicians must disconnect the Tie Rod End from the Steering Knuckle before they remove the knuckle gasket but only if the knuckle requires repair or replacement. After securing the floor jack under the lower Control Arm make sure to remove both upper and lower Ball Joint nuts and cotter pins before moving on. Use the Ball Joint separator (J 23742) on the knuckle to remove the upper Ball Joint stud then separate the joint from the knuckle. The same tool can disconnect the Steering Knuckle from the lower Ball Joint until the knuckle clears the joint. Solvent removes any dirt from the Steering Knuckle while checks for damage within the tapered holes. If the knuckle shows deterioration it needs replacement. First install the Steering Knuckle onto the lower Ball Joint until it reaches full seat depth before attaching it to the upper Ball Joint when lowering the upper Control Arm into position. Begin with Ball Joint nut installation before securing the upper joint with 83 nm torque (61 ft. Lbs.) and tightening the lower joint to 125 nm tension (90 ft. Lbs.). After installing new cotter pins, tighten the Ball Joint nuts an additional 1/6 turn before you bend the pins flat against the nuts. After removing the floor jack you must install the knuckle gasket before attaching the Tie Rod End to the Steering Knuckle. Device the splash shield first and secure its bolts at 14 nm (124 inch lbs.) torque then fasten the rotor/hub assembly together with the brake caliper. After Wheel Bearing adjustment install the tire-wheel assembly then lower the vehicle before performing a front wheel alignment check.
• Knuckle, Driver Side
  15124101
  Q: How to replace the steering knuckle on Chevrolet Astro?

  A:

  In order to change the Steering Knuckle, start first with an elevating and holding the vehicle, keeping the floor jack under the lower Control Arm to secure its position and avoid personal danger. Take away the tire and wheel, take out the Torsion Bar, as well as the Wheel Hub and bearing. After that, take off the outer tie rod cotter pin and the retaining nut, remove the outer tie rod from the Steering Knuckle, using the steering linkage and tie rod puller (J 24319-B). Have a go to remove upper Ball Joint cotter pin and retaining nut, as well as attach the Ball Joint separator (J 36607) to separate the upper Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle. Do so again for the lower Ball Joint by first taking off its cotter pin and retaining nut, and using a pry bar to help release the lower Ball Joint stud from the Steering Knuckle. Once having removed the Steering Knuckle from the support and slipped out its seal, install the new seal with the help of the Steering Knuckle seal installer (J 36605). Reinstall the Steering Knuckle to the upper and lower Ball Joint, securing the lower Ball Joint and its retaining nut to 128 nm (95 ft. Lbs.) and the upper Ball Joint to 98 nm (72 ft. Lbs.). Appropriate cotter pins should be installed, nuts should be well tightened to allow for the insertion of the pins, and the ends beaten flat against the nuts. Install the outer tie rod ball stud to the Steering Knuckle and use the retaining nut by tightening up with 49 nm (36 ft. Lbs.), followed by fitting a new cotter pin. Lastly, reinstall the hub and the bearing assembly, load the Torsion Bar, put the tire and wheel in place, lower the vehicle, and inspect the front wheel alignment.