Front Steering Knuckle Replacement and Repair
TM 9-2320-363-34-1 · Chapter 5 — Front Axle Maintenance
This task covers: a. Removal b. Cleaning c. Inspection d. Repair e. Installation
Applicable Configuration: Equipment Condition:
M915A2 Reference Condition Description
Tools and Special Equipment: Page 5-52 Tie Rod Removed
Shop Equipment, SC 4910-95-CL-A31 Page 5-58 Front Cross Tube Arm
Tool Kit, SC 5180-90-CL-N05 Removed
Bushing Driver, PT-4365-1
Page 5-56 Front Steering Arm
Materials/Parts: Removed
Seal Assembly (2) P/N A-1205-X-1428 GeneraI Safety Instructions:
Gasket (2) P/N 3208-M-1027
Shim P/N 2203-L-3002 WARNING
Shims are delicate and sharp.
Shim P/N 2203-K-3001 Use extreme caution when
Seal Assembly P/N A-1205-B-1432 alining shims to prevent cutting
fingers or bending inside
Bushing (2) P/N 1225-W-985 diameter of shims. Damage to
shims will require complete
Washer, Lock (6) P/N 1229-E-1669 disassembly and replacement
References: of damaged parts.
LO 9-2320-363-12
1. IF DAMAGED, REMOVE TWO LUBRICATION FlTTINGS (1).
2. REMOVE SIX CAPSCREWS (2), SIX LOCK WASHERS (3), TWO CAPS (4), TWO GASKETS (5), AND TWO SEAL ASSEMBLIES (6). DISCARD GASKETS, SEAL ASSEMBLIES, AND LOCK WASHERS.
3. REMOVE TWO NUTS (7).
4. REMOVE TWO DRAW KEYS (8).
Be careful when removing pin. If pin is dropped, damage may occur.
5. REMOVE PIN (9).
6. REMOVE STEERING KNUCKLE (10), THRUST BEARING (11), SHIM(S) (12), AND SEAL ASSEMBLY (13). DISCARD SEAL ASSEMBLY AND SHIM(S).
7. REMOVE TWO BUSHINGS (14) FROM STEERING KNUCKLE (10). DISCARD BUSHINGS.
Use general cleaning methods to clean all parts (page 2-30).
1. INSPECT ALL PARTS FOR WEAR OR DAMAGE.
2. INSPECT BORE OF STEERING KNUCKLE. IF DIAMETER EXCEEDS 1.922 IN. (48.818 mm), REPLACE WITH NEW PART.
3. INSPECT BORE OF AXLE BEAM. IF DIAMETER EXCEEDS 1.798 IN. (45.669 mm), REPLACE WITH NEW PART.
Repair of steering knuckle is the replacement of all parts found to be damaged or unserviceable.
1. USING BUSHING DRIVER, INSTALL TWO NEW BUSHINGS (1) AS FOLLOWS: PRESS BUSHING (1) INTO STEERING KNUCKLE (2) 1/8 IN. AND RELIEVE PRESSURE, PRESS BUSHING (1) INTO STEERING KNUCKLE (2) ANOTHER 1/2 IN. AND RELIEVE PRESSURE. PRESS BUSHING (1) INTO STEERING KNUCKLE (2) UNTIL BUSHING IS 5/16 IN. BELOW SEAL COUNTERBORE.
REPEAT FOR REMAINING BUSHING (1).
2. INSTALL NEW SEAL ASSEMBLY (3) ON CHAMFERED SIDE OF THRUST BEARING (4).
3. INSTALL STEERING KNUCKLE (2).
4. INSTALL THRUST BEARING (4) AND SEAL ASSEMBLY (3).
5. USING SUITABLE JACK, RAISE STEERING KNUCKLE (2) UNTIL SEAL ASSEMBLY (3) IS FLUSH WITH BOTTOM SIDE OF AXLE (5).
6. USING FEELER GAGE, MEASURE DISTANCE BETWEEN TOP SIDE OF AXLE (5) AND STEERING KNUCKLE (2).
7. INSTALL NEW SHIM(S) (6) OF THICKNESS EQUAL TO MEASUREMENT FROM STEP 6.
Make sure shim(s) is not blocking passage for pin installation to prevent damage to equipment.
Make sure draw key slots aline with draw key holes. If pin will not pass completely thru steering knuckle, but passed thru shim(s), lower jack to aline thrust bearing and seal assembly to allow passage of pin.
8. INSTALL PIN (7) IN STEERING KNUCKLE (2).
9. INSTALL TWO DRAW KEYS (8) AND TWO NUTS (9). TIGHTEN NUTS TO 30-40-LB-FT (41-54 N.m).
10. POSITION STEERING KNUCKLE (2) IN STRAIGHT-AHEAD POSITION AND INSTALL DIAL INDICATOR ON STEERING KNUCKLE (2) AS SHOWN.
11. PRY UP ON STEERING KNUCKLE (2) WHILE OBSERVING DIAL INDICATOR. VERTICAL END PLAY MUST BE 0.001-0.025 IN. (0.02-0.64 mm). IF VERTICAL END PLAY IS LESS THAN 0.001 IN. (0.02 mm), REMOVE SHIM(S) TO ACHIEVE VERTICAL END PLAY. IF VERTICAL END PLAY IS MORE THAN 0.025 IN. (0.64 mm), ADD SHIM(S) TO REDUCE VERTICAL END PLAY.
12. IF SHIM(S) IS TO BE ADDED OR REMOVED, PERFORM REMOVAL STEPS 3 THRU 7 AND INSTALLATION STEPS 1 THRU 11 UNTIL CORRECT VERTICAL END PLAY IS ACHIEVED.
13. INSTALL TWO NEW SEAL ASSEMBLIES (10), TWO NEW GASKETS (11), TWO CAPS (12), SIX NEW LOCK WASHERS (13), AND SIX CAPSCREWS (14). TIGHTEN CAPSCREWS TO 20-30 LB-FT (27-41 N.m).
14. IF REMOVED, INSTALL TWO NEW LUBRICATION FlTTINGS (15).
Install front cross tube arm (page 5-58). Install front steering arm (page 5-56). Install tie rod (page 5-52). Lubricate steering knuckle (LO 9-2320-363-12).