Hub / Bearing Description; Operation; Diagnosis And Testing - Wheel Bearing And Hub; Removal - Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual

2 - 6 FRONT SUSPENSION
HUB / BEARING
DESCRIPTION
The wheel bearing and hub are pressed into the
steering knuckle. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
FRONT/KNUCKLE - DESCRIPTION)

OPERATION

The wheel bearing and hub are pressed into the
steering knuckle. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/
FRONT/KNUCKLE - OPERATION)
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - WHEEL BEARING
AND HUB
The wheel bearing is designed for the life of the
vehicle and requires no type of periodic maintenance.
The following procedure may be used for diagnosing
the condition of the wheel bearing and hub.
With the wheel, disc brake caliper, and brake rotor
removed, rotate the wheel hub. Any roughness or
resistance to rotation may indicate dirt intrusion or a
failed hub bearing. If the bearing exhibits any of
these conditions during diagnosis, the hub bearing
will require replacement. Do not attempt to disas-
semble the bearing for repair. If the wheel bearing is
disassembled for any reason, it must be replaced.
Damaged bearing seals and the resulting excessive
grease loss may also require bearing replacement.
Moderate grease weapage from the bearing is consid-
ered normal and should not require replacement of
the wheel bearing.
To diagnose a bent hub, (Refer to 5 - BRAKES/HY-
DRAULIC/MECHANICAL/ROTORS - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING) for the procedure on measuring hub
runout.

REMOVAL

The wheel bearing and hub are pressed into the

knuckle.

(Refer to
KNUCKLE - REMOVAL)

INSTALLATION

The wheel bearing and hub are pressed into the
knuckle. (Refer to
KNUCKLE - INSTALLATION)
KNUCKLE

DESCRIPTION - STEERING KNUCKLE

The steering knuckle is a single casting with legs
machined for attachment to the front strut assembly
on the top, lower control arm ball joint on the bot-
tom, and steering linkage on the trailing end (Fig. 1).
The steering knuckle also has two machined, drilled
2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/
2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT/
and tapped legs on the leading end casting to support
and align the front disc brake caliper adapter.
The knuckle supports the wheel bearing and hub
(Fig. 1). The wheel hub is pressed into a sealed-for-
life wheel bearing that is pressed into the steering
knuckle. A retainer plate also holds the bearing in
place. The hub supports the driveshaft outer constant
velocity (C/V) joint. Each is splined and meshes in
the center of the hub. The outer C/V joint is retained
to the hub using a nut. The nut is locked to the outer
C/V stub shaft using a nut retainer and cotter pin.
The wheel bearing is a Unit 1 type cartridge bear-
ing that requires no maintenance. The wheel bearing
can be serviced separately from the hub.
The hub has five studs pressed into its flange.

OPERATION - STEERING KNUCKLE

The steering knuckle pivots with the strut assem-
bly between the lower ball joint and the pivot bearing
in the strut assembly. The steering gear outer tie rod
end connects to the trailing end of each knuckle,
allowing the vehicle to be steered.
The center of the knuckle supports the hub, wheel
bearing and axle shaft.
The hub and wheel bearing work together. The
wheel bearing has internal bearings that allow the
hub to rotate with the driveshaft and the tire and
wheel assembly. The hub's five studs mount the tire
and wheel to the vehicle.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - STEERING
KNUCKLE
The front suspension steering knuckle is not a
repairable component of the front suspension. It
must be replaced if found to be damaged in any way.
If it is determined that the steering knuckle is bent
when servicing the vehicle, no attempt is to be made
to straighten the steering knuckle.

REMOVAL - STEERING KNUCKLE

NOTE: Before proceeding, review all Warnings and
Cautions. (Refer to 2 - SUSPENSION/FRONT -
WARNING)
(1) Apply the brakes and hold in place.
(2) Raise the vehicle. (Refer to LUBRICATION &
MAINTENANCE/HOISTING - STANDARD PROCE-
DURE)
(3) Remove the front tire and wheel assembly.
(4) Remove the cotter pin, lock nut and spring
washer from the hub nut (Fig. 2).
(5) While the brakes are applied, loosen and
remove the hub nut on the end of the driveshaft (Fig.
2).
(6) Release the brakes.
PT