Honda Fit: Knuckle/Hub Replacement

1. Raise and support the vehicle.

2. Remove the wheel nuts and the front wheel.

3. Remove the brake hose mounting bolt (A) from the damper.

4. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (B), then remove the caliper assembly (C) from the knuckle. To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or the brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper assembly from the undercarriage. Do not twist the brake hose excessively.

5. Pry up the stake (A) on the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut.

6. Remove the front brake disc.

7. Check the front hub for damage and cracks.

8. Remove the wheel speed sensor (A) from the knuckle (B). Do not disconnect the wheel speed sensor connector.

9. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball joint, then remove the nut (B).

   NOTE: During installation, install the new cotter pin after tightening the nut, and bend its end as shown.

10. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover and the ball joint thread protector.

11. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).

    NOTE: During installation, install the lock pin as shown after tightening the new castle nut.

12. Disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover and the ball joint thread protector.

    NOTE:

    • Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.

    • Do not force or hammer on the lower arm, or pry between the lower arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.

13. Remove the damper pinch bolts (A) and the self-locking nuts (B) from the damper.

    NOTE: During installation, install new damper pinch bolts and a new self-locking nuts.

14. Pull the knuckle (C) outward, and separate the outboard joint (D) from the front hub using a soft face hammer.

    NOTE:

    • Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The driveshaft inboard joint may come apart.

    • During installation, apply grease to the mating surfaces of the wheel bearing and the driveshaft outboard joint.

    
    

15. Install the knuckle/hub in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:

    • Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.

    • Before connecting the ball joint to the knuckle, degrease the threaded section and the tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, the threaded section and the mating surfaces of the castle nut.

    • Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.

    • Use a new spindle nut on reassembly.

    • Before installing the spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the driveshaft.

    • Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surfaces of the front hub and the inside of the brake disc.

    • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.

16. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary.