OEM Chevrolet Express 3500 Steering Knuckle

Chevrolet Express 3500 Steering Knuckle Parts and Q&A

• Knuckle, Driver Side
  18060573
  Q: How to service and repair the steering knuckle on Chevrolet Express 3500?

  A:

  To service and repair the Steering Knuckle, initially lift the vehicle and put suitable safety stands under the Control Arms. Unbias the tire and wheel assembly, then disconnect the Tie Rod from the steering knuckles, making sure that you support the caliper with a piece of wire or other material to avoid damaging the Brake Line. Next times you remove the front brake caliper, and remove the hub/rotor, and then remove the Steering Knuckle seal without causing any damage. Remove the 3 nuts that hold the splash shield to the knuckle and use the Ball Joint separator (J23742) tool to remove the Ball Joint upper and lower studs from the Steering Knuckle. Following that, you need to pluck out your Wheel Speed Sensor from the Steering Knuckle and thereafter, take out your steerable knuckle. Clean the Steering Knuckle and check the hole with a taper. If it is out of round, deformed, or damaged, replace the knuckle. For installation, it is first necessary to install the Wheel Speed Sensor into the Steering Knuckle followed by installing the upper and lower Ball Joint. Replace Steering Knuckle seal and the splash shield, by tightening the bolts and nuts up to 24 nm (18 ft. Lbs.). Next, install the Tie Rod end into the knuckle and tighten the retaining nut. Install the hub/rotor and readjust the Wheel Bearings. After that, install the front brake caliper, and proceed with the tire and wheel assembly. Lastly, take off safety stands, lower the vehicle and make sure you regularly test front wheel alignment.
• Knuckle, Driver Side
  85544426
  Q: What tools are required to replace the steering knuckle on a rear-wheel drive on Chevrolet Express 3500?

  A:

  To replace the Steering Knuckle on rear-wheel drive vehicle, the following tools are needed: steering linkage and tie rod puller (J 24319-B), Ball Joint remover (J 43631) and Ball Joint separator protector adaptors (J 45851). Start by lifting and supporting the vehicle; then take out the tire and wheel, the Wheel Hub and bearing. Then, remove the outer tie rod to Steering Knuckle retaining nut and disconnect outer tie rod from Steering Knuckle using the steering linkage and tie rod puller (J 24319-B). Unscrew the brake hose bracket retaining bolt from the Steering Knuckle and suspend the lower Control Arm with a suitable jack. Loosen and remove the upper Ball Joint retaining nut and the upper Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle using Ball Joint remover (J43631) and Ball Joint separator protector adapters (J45851). Inspect the lower Ball Joint as well by dismantling it, but this time by removing its retaining nut and disconnecting it from Steering Knuckle with the same tools. Remove the Steering Knuckle and clean the tapered areas and threads of the top and bottom Ball Joint and the tie rod end and examine the taper holes and mounting areas of the Steering Knuckle for damage. Install the new Steering Knuckle, lower Ball Joint to Steering Knuckle retaining nut and tighten it to 100 n.m (74 lb ft), then, upper Ball Joint to Steering Knuckle retaining nut, tighten it to 50 n.m (37 lb ft). Replace the brake hose bracket retaining bolt and tighten it to 10 n.m (88 lb in) and join the outer tie rod with the Steering Knuckle and install the outer tie rod with Steering Knuckle retaining nut with a tightening torque as of 63 n.m (47 lb ft). Lastly, take off the safety stand, and replace the Wheel Hub and bearing, and put the tire back onto the wheel, as well as lower the vehicle.