Lexus 43211-0E040 KNUCKLE, Steering

Before having the drive axle out, the drive axle hub nut and the wheel lug nuts must be loosened and the vehicle has to be raised and supported properly on jack stands before the wheel can be removed. Next it is necessary to loosen the wheel speed sensor from the knuckle and then remove the brake disc from the hub. While maintaining the bolts in position tighten them enough to free the strut from the steering knuckle arm but do not remove the bolts; unscrew the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle arm. Unscrew the ball joint-to-lower arml bolt and nuts to relieve the ball joint from the lower arm, pry the control arm with a pry bar to separate it from the ball joint. Here it is possible to unscrew the strut-to-knuckle bolts and to shift the drive axle away from the hub; it is recommended to thread a piece of wire over the end of the axle to keep it in place. Disconnect the steering knuckle from the strut, in case you have to eliminate the ball joint from the steering knuckle. For installation, position the knuckle and hub assembly to the right place and align the drive axle to the hub. Force the knuckle into the inner part of the strut flange, put on the bolts and nuts, but do not over tighten them at this stage. Place the nut ont the ball joint and bolt in the control arm then tighten it but halfway through in order to fix it. Connect the tie-rod to the steering knuckle arm and then torque the strut bolt nuts, ball joint to control arm bolt and nuts, and the tie-rod nut to the prescribed torque and replace all cotter-pin with new ones. Put the brake disc in the hub and tighten the caliper and the wheel speed sensor. Last, torque the drive axle/hub nut, final torque to be done once the vehicle is in the ground, then fit the wheels with the lug nuts, lower the vehicle ,and finally torque the lug nuts to the required torque. It is therefore necessary to fit the drive axle/hub nut in place, torque it to the necessary measure, and go on to staking the nut.