Suspension & Steering

FRONT SUSPENSION

Knuckle and Spindle

Justy

Fig. 1: Front knuckle and axle assembly-Justy

Fig. 2: Separating the axle from the knuckle assembly

Fig. 3: Separating the strut from the knuckle assembly

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely on jackstands.
3. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
4. Unstake and remove the axle nut.
5. Remove the halfshaft.
6. Remove the caliper, leaving the line connected and support with wire or string.
7. Remove the rotor.
8. Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
9. Disconnect the control arm from the ball joint.
10. Remove the strut-to-steering knuckle bolt and nut. Using a wedge, remove the steering knuckle assembly.

To install:

11. Connect the steering knuckle to the strut opening. Install the retainer nut and bolt, and tighten to 108 ft. lbs. (147 Nm).
12. Install the rotor.
13. Install the caliper.
14. Install the halfshaft.
15. Connect the tie rod to the steering knuckle.
16. Install a new axle hub nut. Tighten it to 137 ft. lbs. (186 Nm) and stake the nut.
17. Install the wheel.
18. Lower the vehicle.

Sedan, Coupe, Loyale, XT, Wagon and Brat

Fig. 4: Front knuckle and axle assembly-Sedan, Coupe, Loyale, XT, Wagon and Brat

Fig. 5: Separating the axle from the knuckle assembly

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely on jackstands.
3. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
4. Unstake and remove the axle nut.
5. Remove the sway bar link.
6. Remove the halfshaft.
7. Remove the caliper, leaving the line connected and support using a piece of wire or string.
8. Remove the rotor assembly. Refer to Section 9 for rotor removal and installation steps.
9. Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
10. If equipped with ABS, remove the sensor and harness assembly.
11. Disconnect the control arm link from the ball joint.
12. Remove the strut-to-steering knuckle bolts and nuts. Remove the steering knuckle assembly.

To install:

13. Connect the control arm to the steering knuckle and tighten the nut to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm).
14. Connect the steering knuckle to the strut assembly, using the retainer nuts and bolts. Tighten the nuts to 108 ft. lbs. (147 Nm).
15. If equipped, install the ABS speed sensor and harness.
16. Install the rotor.
17. Install the caliper.
18. Install the halfshaft.
19. Connect the sway bar link.
20. Connect the tie rod to the steering knuckle.
21. Install a new axle hub nut. Tighten it to 137 ft. lbs. (186 Nm) and stake the nut.
22. Install the wheel.
23. Lower the vehicle.

Legacy and Impreza

Fig. 6: Front knuckle and axle assembly-Legacy and Impreza

Fig. 7: Separating the axle from the knuckle assembly

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and support the vehicle safely on jackstands.
3. Remove the front wheel and tire assemblies.
4. Unstake and remove the axle nut.
5. Remove the sway bar link.
6. Remove the halfshaft.
7. Remove the caliper, leaving the line connected, and support with a piece of string or wire.
8. Remove the rotor.
9. Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.
10. Remove the ABS sensor and harness assembly.
11. Disconnect the control arm from the ball joint.
12. Matchmark the camber adjustment bolt to the steering knuckle.
13. Remove the strut-to-steering knuckle bolts and nuts. Remove the steering knuckle assembly.

To install:

14. Connect the control arm to the steering knuckle, and tighten the bolt to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm).
15. Connect the steering knuckle to the strut, align the camber adjusting bolt, and tighten the nuts to 108 ft. lbs. (147 Nm).
16. Install the ABS speed sensor and harness.
17. Install the rotor.
18. Install the caliper.
19. Install the halfshaft.
20. Connect the sway bar link.
21. Connect the tie rod to the steering knuckle.
22. Install a new axle hub nut. Tighten the nut to 137 ft. lbs. (186 Nm) and stake the nut.
23. Install the wheel.
24. Lower the vehicle.
25. Check and adjust the front wheel alignment.

SVX

Fig. 8: Front knuckle and axle assembly-SVX

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Raise and safely support the vehicle on jackstands.
3. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
4. Unstake and remove the axle nut.
5. Remove the lower ball joint pinch bolt.
6. Disconnect the ABS sensor from the steering knuckle.
7. Remove the brake hose bracket bolt and bracket from the strut.
8. Matchmark the camber adjusting bolt on the strut and remove the mounting nuts and lower mounting bolt. DO NOT remove the upper bolt at this time.
9. Remove the caliper and caliper bracket as an assembly and support from the strut with string or wire. DO NOT allow the assembly to hang from the brake hose.
10. Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle.
11. Remove the rotor.
12. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut from the tie rod end. Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle using a suitable puller.
13. Remove the upper strut mounting bolt and remove the steering knuckle.

To install:

14. Install the steering knuckle assembly onto the lower ball joint and loosely install the pinch bolt.
15. Line up the steering knuckle and strut and install the mounting bolts and nuts. Line up the matchmarks made during removal on the camber bolt and tighten the mounting nuts to 112 ft. lbs. (152 Nm).
16. Tighten the ball joint pinch bolt to 38 ft. lbs. (52 Nm).
17. Connect the tie rod end to the steering and tighten the castle nut to 29 ft. lbs. (39 Nm).
18. Install the brake rotor.
19. Install the caliper and caliper mounting bracket. Tighten the caliper mounting bracket bolts to 58 ft. lbs. (78 Nm).
20. Connect the ABS sensor to the steering knuckle.
21. Connect the brake hose bracket to the strut and install the mounting bolt.
22. Install the axle nut and tighten to 137 ft. lbs. (187 Nm).
23. Install the dust cap.
24. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
25. Lower the vehicle.
26. Connect the negative battery cable.
27. Check the front end alignment and adjust as necessary.

END OF SECTION