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Replacing a worn steering knuckle or noisy front hub can become expensive when you have to buy major pieces separately and press them together. The Detroit Axle Front Steering Knuckles and Wheel Hub Bearings pair, part number KA698410_KA698411, combines left- and right-side knuckle and hub-bearing assemblies for selected Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot models. Its strongest points are the paired design, cast-iron knuckles, vehicle-specific fitment, and limited 10-year warranty. The main caution is fitment: brake type, model year, body code, and Off Road Package exclusions matter, so you should confirm your exact vehicle before ordering.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 8/10, Recommended with caveats
Best For: Owners of compatible Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot models who need both front steering knuckles and hub bearings.
Bottom Line: This pair can simplify a front-end repair by combining the driver- and passenger-side knuckle/hub assemblies in one kit. It is a poor choice, however, if your vehicle falls outside the listed fitment or has an excluded configuration.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Detroit Axle |
| Kit part number | KA698410_KA698411 |
| Product type | Front steering knuckles with wheel hub bearings |
| Kit quantity | 2 assemblies, one driver side and one passenger side |
| Passenger-side part | KA698410 |
| Driver-side part | KA698411 |
| Knuckle material | Cast iron |
| Listed kit weight | 37 lb |
| Listed dimensions | 15 × 9 × 9 in |
| Testing stated by manufacturer | Impact, wear, and fatigue testing |
| Warranty | Limited 10-year warranty, subject to Detroit Axle terms |
What Is the Detroit Axle Steering Knuckle Kit?
This Detroit Axle kit is a two-piece front-end replacement set. It includes a passenger-side steering knuckle and wheel hub bearing assembly, KA698410, plus a driver-side steering knuckle and wheel hub bearing assembly, KA698411. That makes it most relevant when both sides need service or when you prefer to replace the left and right assemblies together.
Detroit Axle lists the knuckles as cast iron and says the parts are built to OEM-style specifications under quality-control standards. The manufacturer also states that the assemblies undergo impact, wear, and fatigue testing. Those are useful construction details, but they do not remove the need to match the kit to the exact vehicle configuration.
Who Should Buy It?
Best For
- Owners of a listed Dodge Caliber with rear disc brakes.
- Owners of a compatible Jeep Compass or Patriot without the excluded Off Road Package.
- Buyers who need both front knuckle and hub-bearing assemblies rather than one side only.
Skip If
- Your year, trim, brake type, or body code is not listed as compatible.
- Your Compass or Patriot has a configuration excluded by the fitment notes.
- You only need a single knuckle or hub and do not want to replace both front sides.
Before You Buy: Do not order by model name alone. Confirm the year, submodel, rear brake type where applicable, body code, and Off Road Package exclusion against the current fitment listing for your vehicle.
Fit and Compatibility
Fitment is the most important buying factor for this kit. Detroit Axle lists compatibility with 2007-2012 Dodge Caliber models using rear disc brakes. It also lists 2007-2016 Jeep Compass models without the Off Road Package, with compatible 2017 Compass applications using the MK body code, and 2007-2017 Jeep Patriot applications without the Off Road Package.
Because submodels and configuration notes can vary within those year ranges, the year range should be treated as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Use the retailer or manufacturer fitment tool and compare the listed part numbers to the parts intended for your VIN before installation.
Pro Tip: Before removing the old parts, compare the replacement assemblies side by side with the originals. Check mounting points, hub position, sensor provisions, and left/right orientation so a fitment issue is caught before the vehicle is disassembled.
Materials and Build Quality
The manufacturer identifies cast iron as the knuckle material. For a suspension and steering component that carries wheel, hub, brake, and suspension loads, a solid cast-iron construction is a conventional choice. Detroit Axle also states that the parts are manufactured under strict quality-control standards and tested for impact, wear, and fatigue.
The important limitation is that the available manufacturer information does not publish the specific test-cycle counts or machining tolerances claimed in some third-party descriptions. For that reason, this review does not rely on unsupported figures such as a 0.01 mm bore tolerance, a one-million-cycle fatigue test, a 240-hour salt-spray result, or a 200 Nm torque-cycle value.
Installation
This kit is designed to reduce assembly work because each side combines a steering knuckle with a wheel hub bearing assembly. A compatible preassembled knuckle/hub setup can save you from sourcing those major pieces separately and may avoid the bearing-press work required by a bare-knuckle repair.
Installation is still a safety-critical front-suspension job. You may need to remove the wheel, brake components, axle connection, steering linkage, and suspension attachments before the old knuckle can come out. Rusted fasteners, damaged hardware, seized joints, or corrosion can make the job more difficult than a simple bolt-on description suggests.
Use the factory service information for your exact vehicle for torque values and fastener procedures. Do not rely on generic axle-nut or caliper-bracket torque numbers because specifications can differ by model, year, and configuration. If you do not have the tools or experience to support the vehicle safely and verify the completed work, professional installation is the better choice.
How It Performs in Real Use
When Replacing a Noisy or Worn Hub Area
If diagnosis confirms that the knuckle/hub area needs replacement, the combined assembly can make the repair more straightforward by giving you the knuckle and wheel hub bearing together. The benefit is mainly parts consolidation and installation convenience, not a guaranteed cure for every wheel-end noise. Tire noise, CV joints, brakes, and other suspension parts can produce similar symptoms.
When Both Front Sides Need Service
The pair format is most useful when you have a reason to replace both front assemblies. You receive one left-side and one right-side assembly under a single kit number, which simplifies ordering compared with hunting down two separate listings.
For Older Vehicles With Corrosion
On an older Caliber, Compass, or Patriot, the condition of the original hardware may matter as much as the new part. Corroded mounting surfaces and seized fasteners can add labor. Cleaning mating surfaces and inspecting related hardware before reassembly helps prevent a new assembly from being installed against damaged or contaminated surfaces.
After Installation
After any steering-knuckle replacement, verify that brake, ABS, steering, and suspension connections are properly reinstalled and that the wheel turns without interference. Because knuckle removal disturbs suspension and steering connections, checking wheel alignment after the repair is a sensible final step.
Compatibility and Safety
The steering knuckle is a structural steering and suspension component, so correct fit and installation matter more than cosmetic differences. Never force a part into place or substitute unknown fasteners simply because the bolt pattern appears close. Use vehicle-correct hardware and service procedures.
The current product information identifies the two knuckle/hub assemblies but does not clearly list every small piece of installation hardware or every ABS-related component in the package description. Inspect the listing and the delivered parts before starting the repair. If your vehicle uses specific sensor hardware, tone-ring arrangements, or one-time-use fasteners, verify those requirements separately.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Includes both front sides in one kit.
- Combines steering knuckles with wheel hub bearings.
- Cast-iron knuckle construction.
- Manufacturer states impact, wear, and fatigue testing.
- Backed by a limited 10-year warranty.
Cons
- Fitment has brake, package, and body-code restrictions.
- The kit may be unnecessary if only one side needs replacement.
- Installation is still a safety-critical suspension repair and may be difficult on rusty vehicles.
Is It Worth the Price?
This kit can offer strong value for the price when you genuinely need both front knuckle/hub assemblies. Buying the pair can be more convenient than sourcing a bare knuckle, wheel bearing, and hub pieces individually, especially if your repair plan already calls for work on both sides.
The value drops if only one side has failed or if your vehicle is outside the fitment range. Detroit Axle sells individual driver- and passenger-side assemblies as well, so a one-side repair may justify comparing the single assembly with the pair before you buy. Also consider professional labor and alignment costs when estimating the total repair budget.
How It Compares to Alternatives
Compared with buying a bare steering knuckle and separate hub-bearing components, the Detroit Axle pair focuses on convenience by bundling the major wheel-end parts into left- and right-side assemblies. That can reduce the number of separate components you must match and assemble.
If only one side needs service, Detroit Axle’s individual KA698410 passenger-side or KA698411 driver-side assembly is the more direct alternative. An OEM replacement route may also appeal to buyers who prefer factory-branded parts, but you should compare exactly what is included because an OEM-style repair may involve separate knuckle and hub-bearing components.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which vehicles does KA698410_KA698411 fit?
Detroit Axle lists the pair for selected 2007-2012 Dodge Caliber models with rear disc brakes, selected 2007-2017 Jeep Compass applications without the Off Road Package, and selected 2007-2017 Jeep Patriot applications without the Off Road Package. Confirm the exact year, submodel, brake type, and body-code notes before ordering.
Does the kit include both front sides?
Yes. The kit lists one passenger-side steering knuckle and wheel hub bearing assembly, KA698410, and one driver-side assembly, KA698411.
Are the wheel hub bearings already part of the assemblies?
The product is sold as steering knuckle and wheel hub bearing assemblies rather than bare knuckles. That is the main convenience advantage of this kit because the hub-bearing component is supplied with each knuckle assembly.
Do I need a bearing press for this kit?
The kit is sold as combined knuckle and wheel hub bearing assemblies, so you are not buying a bare knuckle that requires you to press the listed hub bearing into it. Other parts of the repair can still require specialized tools depending on vehicle condition and service procedure.
Are replacement bolts and ABS hardware included?
The manufacturer listing identifies the two knuckle/hub assemblies but does not clearly list a separate replacement-fastener or ABS-hardware package. Verify the current box contents and your vehicle’s hardware requirements before disassembly.
Does Detroit Axle provide a warranty?
Detroit Axle identifies this steering-knuckle assembly with a limited 10-year warranty. Warranty coverage is subject to the company’s current terms, limitations, proof-of-purchase requirements, and claim process.
Should I get an alignment after replacing a steering knuckle?
A steering-knuckle replacement disturbs suspension and steering connections, so checking alignment after the repair is a sensible step. Follow the service information for your exact vehicle and correct any alignment issue before putting the vehicle back into normal use.
Who should skip this pair?
Skip it if your vehicle does not match the stated fitment, if an excluded package applies, or if you have not confirmed that the knuckle/hub assembly is actually the failed part. Buyers who need only one side should compare the individual KA698410 or KA698411 assembly first.
The Bottom Line
The Detroit Axle KA698410_KA698411 pair is a practical option for owners of compatible Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, and Jeep Patriot models who need both front steering knuckle and hub-bearing assemblies. Its main strengths are the paired left/right package, cast-iron construction, stated impact/wear/fatigue testing, and limited 10-year warranty, while its main limitation is strict vehicle-specific fitment. If your exact configuration checks out and the repair diagnosis is sound, it earns a Recommended with caveats verdict.
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