This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front steering knuckle/spindle assembly on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry with the 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front steering knuckle/spindle assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Wheel hub and bearing assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Tie rod end cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• ABS wheel speed sensor (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is still on ground (do not remove)
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
4. Remove wheel and tire assembly completely
5. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 10-15 minutes to soak
6. Take photos of the assembly from multiple angles for reference during reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts from the rear of the caliper bracket. Support the caliper with wire or a bungee cord to prevent strain on the brake hose - do not let it hang by the hose. Remove the caliper bracket bolts and set aside the bracket. Slide the brake rotor off the hub studs.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor connector on the back side of the knuckle or in the wheel well. Press the release tab and disconnect the electrical connector. Remove the sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the knuckle. Note the sensor wire routing for reinstallation.
3. 3

   Remove sway bar end link
   Locate the sway bar end link connecting the sway bar to the strut assembly. Hold the center shaft with an Allen key to prevent spinning, then remove the upper nut securing the link to the strut. The link can remain attached to the sway bar.
   ℹ️The ball stud may spin freely - use the Allen key in the center to hold it stationary while removing the nut.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Separate tie rod end from knuckle
   Remove the cotter pin from the tie rod end castle nut using cotter pin pliers. Remove the castle nut but do not fully remove it initially - leave it flush with the end of the stud. Use a tie rod end puller to separate the taper. Once separated, remove the nut completely and withdraw the tie rod end from the knuckle.
   ⚠Leave the nut on initially to prevent the tie rod from suddenly releasing and causing injury when the taper breaks free.
5. 5

   Separate lower ball joint from knuckle
   Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint castle nut. Remove the castle nut but leave it threaded on a few turns initially. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to break the taper joint between the ball joint and knuckle. Once separated, remove the nut completely.
   ⚠The knuckle assembly will become loose once the ball joint is separated. Support it to prevent sudden movement.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two horizontal bolts securing the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. These are typically large diameter bolts. Support the knuckle assembly with one hand or have an assistant hold it. Remove both strut-to-knuckle bolts completely. The knuckle assembly is now free.
   ⚠The knuckle and hub assembly is heavy. Support it properly as you remove the final bolt to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove knuckle assembly from vehicle
   Carefully maneuver the knuckle assembly out from the wheel well area. You may need to rotate and angle it to clear the CV axle shaft and other components. Once clear, place the assembly on a clean work surface. If the CV axle shaft comes out with the hub, support it and carefully separate it.
8. 8

   Transfer wheel hub to new knuckle (if necessary)
   If your replacement knuckle does not include a new hub bearing assembly, you will need to press out the old hub from the old knuckle and press it into the new knuckle. This requires a hydraulic press and proper bearing installation tools. If you lack these tools, have this step performed by a machine shop or replace the knuckle as a complete assembly with hub.
   ⚠️Improper hub pressing can damage the bearing or knuckle. Use correct press tools and ensure proper alignment during installation.
9. 9

   Install new knuckle assembly to strut
   Position the new or rebuilt knuckle assembly into the wheel well. Align the mounting holes on the knuckle with the lower portion of the strut assembly. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and hand-tighten them initially. Ensure the knuckle is properly seated before final torquing.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Connect lower ball joint to knuckle
    Guide the lower control arm ball joint stud into the opening in the bottom of the knuckle. Install the castle nut and tighten to specification. Align the castle nut slots with the hole in the ball joint stud (you may need to tighten slightly beyond spec to align). Install a new cotter pin and bend the ends to secure.
    ℹ️Never loosen a castle nut to align the cotter pin hole. Only tighten further if needed for alignment.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Connect tie rod end to knuckle
    Insert the tie rod end stud into the knuckle steering arm. Install the castle nut and torque to specification per the vehicle service manual (typically 50-70 Nm but verify for your vehicle). Align the castle nut with the stud hole and install a new cotter pin. Bend the cotter pin ends to secure.
12. 12

    Reinstall ABS wheel speed sensor
    Clean the sensor mounting bore in the knuckle with a wire brush if necessary. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the sensor body (not the sensing tip). Insert the sensor into the knuckle and install the mounting bolt. Connect the electrical connector and secure the wire routing clips along the original path.
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar end link
    Position the sway bar end link ball stud through the hole in the strut bracket. Install the nut and hold the center shaft with an Allen key while torquing the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall brake components
    Slide the brake rotor onto the hub studs. Position the brake caliper bracket onto the knuckle and install the bracket bolts to specification. Place the brake caliper over the rotor and pads, then install the caliper mounting bolts to specification. Remove the wire or bungee support.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install wheel and perform final torquing
    Install the wheel and tire assembly onto the hub. Thread on all lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but the suspension is not yet loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and apply final torque to the lug nuts in a star pattern. With the vehicle weight on the suspension, perform a final torque check on the strut-to-knuckle bolts.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts136 Nm (100 lb-ft)

    Strut Bolts115 Nm (85 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connectors are properly seated and secured
2. Verify all cotter pins are properly installed and bent
3. Check that brake caliper slides freely and pads are properly seated
4. Pump brake pedal several times to restore brake pressure before moving vehicle

Verification

• Start the engine and turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock to verify no binding or unusual noises
• Test drive at low speed in a safe area and verify steering response and brake function
• Check for any unusual noises, vibrations, or pulling during the test drive
• Have a professional wheel alignment performed as suspension geometry has been disturbed
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque wheel lug nuts and verify all fasteners remain tight
• Verify ABS warning light is not illuminated on the dashboard

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