How do you replace a steering knuckle on a car?
Strike the steering knuckle near the ball joint with a large hammer. The ball joint’s stud should eventually pop out if the knuckle is hit hard enough. You can also use a ball joint separator to separate the ball joint from the knuckle. But be forewarned: most separators don’t fit all vehicles.
Where does the steering knuckle go on a MacPherson strut?
The steering knuckle provides a mounting point for the wheel hub. Found behind each front wheel, the knuckle makes sure its associated wheel moves within a certain plane. In a MacPherson strut-style front suspension, the top of each knuckle bolts to a strut assembly. The bottom of the knuckle attaches to a ball joint in the lower control arm.
What happens if you have rust on your steering knuckle?
Rust on the steering knuckle can eventually spread to the wheel hub. Since the knuckles are a critical part of the front steering and suspension, they will affect the vehicle’s steering and handling if they become damaged. Uneven wear on the tires is one of the common symptoms of a faulty steering knuckle.
How can I tell if my steering knuckle is bent?
One way to look for signs of damage may include using an LED flashlight to look for signs of flaking coatings or corrosion on the steering knuckle. Some people prefer the use of an LED flashlight because of the blue-colored light that the LED bulbs emit (see Figure 4).
Can a steering knuckle be replaced in a car?
Control arm replacement can be difficult—especially if the vehicle’s suspension is rusted and corroded. Separating the ball joint from the steering knuckle can be tricky, too, if you’ve never done the job before. And, oh yeah, you’ll want to get your car’s alignment checked after replacing the control arm.
The steering knuckle provides a mounting point for the wheel hub. Found behind each front wheel, the knuckle makes sure its associated wheel moves within a certain plane. In a MacPherson strut-style front suspension, the top of each knuckle bolts to a strut assembly. The bottom of the knuckle attaches to a ball joint in the lower control arm.
How do you separate steering knuckle and ball joint?
There are multiple ways to separate the two components: Strike the steering knuckle near the ball joint with a large hammer. The ball joint’s stud should eventually pop out if the knuckle is hit hard enough. You can also use a ball joint separator to separate the ball joint from the knuckle.
Where does the tie rod go on a steering wheel?
The bottom of the knuckle attaches to a ball joint in the lower control arm. A tie rod end, which is part of the steering linkage that connects to the steering wheel, attaches to the side of the knuckle. When the driver turns the steering wheel, the tie rod pulls or pushes on the knuckle.