I need help replacing the steering knuckle on a 98 Explorer.

[shell27]

i recently snapped my steering knuckle right where the tie rod end connects to it and i need to replace the knuckle, the tie rod ans the tie rod end. any suggestions?

 

[1Aauto]

HI,Welcome to the forum.

We have linkage pieces available on our site to rebuild the front end.Here's a link to that section if you would like to take a look at it.

Ford Explorer Steering

 

[shell27]

thank you
i have all the parts now
but i need to know how to replace the knuckle

 

[IZwack]

Pickup a Haynes or a Chiltons repair manual - its worth the twenty or so dollars.

But basically, remove:
- caliper
- rotor
- hub
- axle shaft

and then knock off the knuckle from the lower and upper A-arms.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the stock 95-01 section.

 

[gijoecam]

Ditto... If you're working with hand tools, be sure and remove the spindle nut with the wheel still on. That bugger's on there tight (around 200 ft*lbs IIRC). Then remove the wheel, spindle nut, brakes, break loose the hub bolts (three bolts on the back side of the knuckle that holds the hub in place), and separate it from the two ball joints.

Now that I think about it, if you're swapping the hub assembly over, does he even need to remove the spindle nut? Seems one might be able to leave the hub on the spindle, remove the three bolts, and simply push the hub out the back of the old knuckle. Might take an extra pair of hands (or three) to get it into the new one, but shouldn't be impossible...

 

[96eb96]

Check the sticky tutorials for replacing lower ball joints and front end rebuid. Lots of good pics there.

 

[my pos mounty]

Ditto... If you're working with hand tools, be sure and remove the spindle nut with the wheel still on. That bugger's on there tight (around 200 ft*lbs IIRC). Then remove the wheel, spindle nut, brakes, break loose the hub bolts (three bolts on the back side of the knuckle that holds the hub in place), and separate it from the two ball joints.

Now that I think about it, if you're swapping the hub assembly over, does he even need to remove the spindle nut?

If he wants to remove or replace the CV with the hub and steering knuckle, sure. The spindle nut holds the CV in place in the hub, which is bolted to the knuckle. Its certainly feasible if your gonna replace everything anyway, it might even save a few minutes of disassembly.

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EDIT!!! Now that I really wrap my dopey brain around this, No its not . Unbolt the hub assembly from the knuckle and slip the knuckle off the hub/CV.