Swivel fist — removal and installation (Peugeot 405)

Attention! All Nyloc nuts loosened during removal must be replaced with new ones. The threads of these nuts are coated with an anti-twist compound that is only effective the first time the nut is used.

Attention! Do not lower the vehicle on wheels with one or both drive shafts disconnected from the hub, as the hub bearing may be damaged. If it is necessary to move the vehicle, temporarily insert the drive shaft into the hub and secure it with a nut.

Two different types of steering knuckle can be applied, depending on the model. The earlier hub members are solid, while the later ones are hollow, and can be identified by the presence of a hole at the top of the assembly (see fig. Late production steering knuckle identification). When reinstalling, note that the tightening torques differ for the two types of steering knuckle. The modified lower arms are adapted to mate with the later knuckles, and the early lower arms and latest knuckles are not interchangeable.

Front wheel hub

Late production steering knuckle identification

Identification of the steering knuckle of later releases is made by the hole (indicated by an arrow) at the top.

Installing the retaining cables (0903 AF) at the top of the suspension strut

Installing the retaining cables (0903 AF) at the bottom of the suspension strut

Removing

1. Remove the wheel hub cap, remove the R-bracket and locking head. Loosen the nut securing the drive shaft to the hub with the vehicle wheels on the ground. Also loosen the wheel bolts. Raise the front of the car and secure it on stands. Remove the corresponding front wheel.

2. On models equipped with ABS, remove the sensor mounted on the vehicle wheel.

3. Loosen the drive shaft nut.

4. Unscrew the two bolts securing the brake caliper to the steering knuckle, and remove the caliper from the brake disc. Using a soft wire, tie the caliper to the suspension spring.

5. Using chalk or paint, mark the location of the brake disc in relation to the hub, then unscrew the screw securing the brake disc to the hub, and remove the disc.

6. To facilitate removal of the steering knuckle from the strut, install a spring compressor and lightly compress the springs or hold the spring compressed using cables (accessories 0903 AF), to do the following:

• install one of the cables in one of the two upper holes (see fig. Installing the retaining cables (0903 AF) at the top of the suspension strut and fig. Installing the retaining cables (0903 AF) at the bottom of the suspension strut);
• turn the steering wheel and install the second cable;
• insert the hooks of each cable into the holes of the lower cup;
• insert bolts with a diameter of 6 mm into the holes to prevent the cables from falling out.

7. Remove the bolt securing the anti-roll bar connector to the lower control arm.


8. Unscrew the nut securing the tie rod to the steering knuckle and remove the tie rod ball joint from the steering knuckle. To remove the tie rod ball joint from the steering knuckle, a universal ball joint puller must be used.



9. Unscrew the lower ball joint nut and remove the ball joint pin from the lower arm.



10. unscrew the nut (indicated by arrows) and remove the knuckle strut clamp bolt, noting that the bolt is installed from the rear of the vehicle. When installing, a new clamping bolt and nut must be used.

11. Insert the lever into the groove in the steering knuckle, and expand the groove so that you can remove the steering knuckle from the rack. If tool 8.0903 AE is available, install it in the groove in the steering knuckle and turn it 90°to widen the groove so that the steering knuckle can be removed from the strut.


12. Remove the steering knuckle from the end of the strut, then remove it from the end of the drive shaft and remove it from the vehicle. Using soft wire, tie the drive shaft to the car body.

Installation

Installing the steering knuckle

Gap on later clip tabs

Gap (A) on later knuckle clamp lugs should not be less than 6.5mm.

1. Check that the splines on the outer end of the drive shaft and the grooves in the hub are clean. Slide the hub onto the grooves of the drive shaft.

2. Slide the knuckle onto the bottom of the suspension strut, aligning the slot in the knuckle with the protrusion at the end of the strut. Insert a new clamping bolt from the rear of the vehicle, screw a nut onto the bolt and tighten to the required torque.

3. Two types of steering knuckles can be used. To install later steering knuckles, after tightening the clamping bolt, measure the gap between the projections of the steering knuckle clamp (see fig. Gap on later clip tabs). The gap should not be less than 6.5 mm. If the clearance is less than specified, proceed as follows:

• check the condition of the lower end of the rack. If the strut diameter has been compressed, the shock absorber may be damaged and the strut must be replaced;
• if the strut is intact but the clearance between the knuckle clamp lugs is still less than specified, replace the knuckle.

4. Align the lower ball joint with the lower arm and secure with a new nut.

5. Connect the tie rod ball joint to the steering knuckle and secure with a new nut.

6. Install the anti-roll bar bolt to the lower control arm and tighten to specified torque.

7. Install brake disc.

8. Lubricate the inside and threads of the drive shaft mounting nut with clean engine oil, and thread the nut onto the drive shaft. Tighten the drive shaft mounting nut to the required torque. Check that the hub rotates freely, install the driveshaft nut blocking head so that one of the fuses aligns with the driveshaft hole and fix it with the R-bracket.

9. Remove the spring compressor.

10. On models equipped with ABS, install the wheel speed sensor.

11. Install the wheel and lower the car.