Steering knuckle and axle shaft [Toyota Land Cruiser J70]

Disassembly

1. Remove the wheel hub.

2. Using pliers, remove the clamp. Disconnect the brake hose from the pipe and bracket on the axle housing.





3. Unscrew the eight bolts securing the steering knuckle axle.



4. Remove the dust boot holder, gasket and protective cover.

5. For models with automatic clutch locking: Disconnect the clutch locking mechanism drive connector.

6. Using a brass drift and a hammer, remove the steering knuckle axle.



7. Place the flat side of the outer axle shaft up and remove the axle shaft assembly.





8. Remove the cotter pins, unscrew the castle nuts, then disconnect the tie rod ends from the steering knuckle arms.

9. Unscrew the six bolts and remove the holder and seal parts.



10. Removing the steering knuckle arm and bearing cap.

a) Unscrew the nuts securing the steering knuckle and bearing cap.

b) Using a brass drift and hammer, remove the conical washers from the mounting bolts.



c) Using a special tool, push out the upper arm (or bearing cap) and adjusting linings from the steering knuckle.

Note: Use the special tool without the narrow sleeve.

d) Similarly, using a special tool, disconnect the lower arm from the steering knuckle.



11. Remove the steering knuckle and take out the bearings.

Note: Store the removed adjusting shims and bearings separately to avoid mixing them up during assembly.

Checking and repair

1. Checking the steering knuckle axis,

a) Wash the steering knuckle axle,

b) Check the steering knuckle axle bushing for wear or damage.

2. Replacing the steering knuckle axle bushing.

a) Using a special tool, remove the bushing from the axle.

b) Using a special tool, press the new bushing into the axle.



3. Checking the steering knuckle bearings.



a) Clean the bearings and their outer races.

b) Check the bearings for wear or damage.

4. Replacing the outer bearing ring (if necessary).

a) Using a brass drift, knock out the outer bearing ring.

b) Using a special mandrel, install a new outer bearing ring.



5. Checking the axle shaft joint parts.

a) Clamp the inner part of the axle shaft in a vice.

b) Place a brass rod on the inner race of the joint and knock out the outer part of the axle shaft using hammer blows.



c) Tilt the inner race and the joint separator to the side and remove the balls.

d) Align the two large holes in the separator with the projections on the outer race and remove the separator and inner race as an assembly.

d) Remove the inner race from the separator through the large opening.





e) Clean the hinge parts and check them for signs of wear or damage.

g) Apply lithium-based grease with molybdenum disulfide to the inner parts of the joint and the inner surface of the outer race.

c) Install the inner race into the separator through the large hole.

i) Install the inner race so that its projections are directed towards the wide part of the separator.



k) Assemble the separator and inner race with the outer race, aligning the two large holes with the outer race projections.

l) Make sure that the wide side of the separator and the projections of the inner race of the joint are facing outward.



m) Install the balls (see point "c"),



n) Pack the outer race with lithium-based grease containing molybdenum disulfide.

o) Install new snap rings on the inner part of the axle shaft.

p) Clamp the outer half shaft in a vice, compress the retaining ring and install the inner half shaft.

p) Make sure that the inner part of the axle shaft is securely fixed.



6. Replacing the front axle housing oil seal.

a) Using a puller, remove the oil seal from the front axle housing.

b) Using a special mandrel, install the oil seal into the front axle housing.

Assembly

1. Install the felt boot, rubber seal and steel ring.



2. Packing bearings with lithium and molybdenum disulfide based grease.



a) Apply some lithium based grease to your finger.

b) Start forcing grease into the bearing and continue doing this until grease comes out the other side of the bearing.

c) Perform this operation around the entire circumference of the bearing.

3. Install the lower bearing in the steering knuckle and the upper bearing in the front axle housing.



4. Install the steering knuckle onto the front axle housing.

5. Installing the steering knuckle arm and bearing cap.

a) Place the special tool against the inner ring of the upper bearing.

Note: Use a special tool with a sleeve.

b) Install the bearing cap or upper arm over the adjusting shims that were previously installed or selected in accordance with the adjustment operations.

c) Tap the bearing cap lightly with a hammer (or upper steering arm), introducing it into the inner ring of the bearing.



d) Use the special tool as a support for the lower bearing inner ring.

d) Install the lower control arm of the steering knuckle together with the adjusting shims that were already installed previously or selected in accordance with the adjustment operations.

e) Using a light hammer tap, insert the lower arm of the steering knuckle into the inner bearing race.



g) Remove the special tool from the steering knuckle.

h) Install the cone washers, spring washers and nuts securing the upper control arm or bearing cap.

Tightening torque - 96 Nm

i) Install the conical washers, spring washers and lower control arm mounting nuts.

Tightening torque - 96 Nm



6. Checking the preload of the axle joint bearings.

a) Using a spring dynamometer, measure the bearing preload.

Preload 25 - 44 N



b) If the preload is not within the permissible limits, adjust it by replacing the adjusting shims.

Thickness of adjusting shims - 0.1; 0,2; 0,3; 0,5; 1.0 mm

Note:

• If the preload is too high, increase the shim thickness; if it is too low, decrease the shim thickness.
• When the total thickness of the gaskets changes by 0.1 mm, the preload will change by 1 - 2 N.

7. Connect the steering rods to the steering knuckle arms. Tighten the castle nuts and secure with cotter pins.

Tightening torque - 91 Nm



8. Install the retainer and seal components onto the steering knuckle and tighten the six mounting bolts.

Tightening torque: 5.4 Nm

9. Position the flat side of the outer axle shaft up and install the axle shaft assembly.

10. Pack lithium grease with molybdenum disulfide additive into the steering knuckle to approximately 3/4 of its depth.



11. Install a new gasket onto the steering knuckle, then install the steering knuckle shaft.

Note: For models with automatic clutch locking:

• Be careful not to damage the wiring and rubber gasket when installing the steering knuckle axle.
• Make sure all tape is removed from the steering knuckle end.

12. Install the boot retainer, gasket and protective cover onto the steering knuckle axle and tighten the mounting bolts.

Tightening torque - 47 Nm

13. For models with automatic locking: Connect the clutch locking mechanism actuator connector.

14. Connect the brake hose to the pipe and bracket on the axle housing, then use pliers to install the clamp.

15. Install the wheel hub