Do You Need the SST for Knuckle Bearings?

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Von Hayek

Von Hayek

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Getting my list together for a knuckle rebuild this weekend, and going through the FSM I see that they call for a SST to remove and install the knuckle bearings--is this a necessity?

BTW, I have been pounding you folks for advice for many weeks and I thank you for it. Pics of the new-to-me cruiser are forthcoming! :beer:
 
that is terrible advice.

Too much preload and don't you care if your inner axle seal actually does it's job? You will when you have splooge running down the inside of both your front tires one week after going through the whole knuckle service.
 
I think what he's asking is the SST necessary to remove the knuckle bearings... Until Sat, I would have said absolutely no.

I've done a few rebuilds now, and have never needed the SST I bought a few years ago. But on this last job, the bearings were so badly disintegrated, I couldn't get the arm or cap off, so out came the SST and everything was quickly removed...

I dunno if I could have done it without the SST, but it certainly would have taken a lot more cussing.

SST in action. -- And notice in the top picture, part of the top bearing is seized onto the steering arm spindle...
knckle0003.webp
knckle0002.webp
SST0005.webp
 
Spike Strip said:
I think what he's asking is the SST necessary to remove the knuckle bearings... Until Sat, I would have said absolutely no.

I've done a few rebuilds now, and have never needed the SST I bought a few years ago. But on this last job, the bearings were so badly disintegrated, I couldn't get the arm or cap off, so out came the SST and everything was quickly removed...

I dunno if I could have done it without the SST, but it certainly would have taken a lot more cussing.

SST in action.
Click to expand...

thats a neat do-dad...

tho ive never used one.
 
I gotcha. And I edited my previous tongue-in-cheek reply to make sure people don't take it the wrong way.

Really though, I used to obsess about pre-loading pinion, carrier, hubs, and knuckles. Study the manual tables, break out the special tools and all that. After a few dozen, I relaxed and "let the universe" guide me. It works to learn the feel of the resistance, memorize it and then use your memory for performing a sure setup. So I was only being half an ass when I suggested the Caddyshack method. It is also good to recheck the install every now and then, to make sure it really is the universe guiding and not some lazy ass.

Rick
 
Yeah, I know what you mean... When I do the bearing pre-load, if I follow the FSM it's always too tight. So now I just do it the way I've done every other wheel bearing and it works out fine.

I do it by feel.
 
Spike Strip said:
I think what he's asking is the SST necessary to remove the knuckle bearings... Until Sat, I would have said absolutely no.

I've done a few rebuilds now, and have never needed the SST I bought a few years ago. But on this last job, the bearings were so badly disintegrated, I couldn't get the arm or cap off, so out came the SST and everything was quickly removed...

I dunno if I could have done it without the SST, but it certainly would have taken a lot more cussing.

SST in action. -- And notice in the top picture, part of the top bearing is seized onto the steering arm spindle...
Click to expand...

Yes, that's the one I was talking about. So, I guess as long as my knuckle bearings are not fired, I'm good to go. I'll take my chances. Nice pics by the way.
 
Spike Strip those pics look like the blasted guts of a Transformer (Megatron):p

And I will be all in mine for the first time in the morning.:doh:
 
rchalmers3 said:
***Warning! Bad advise follows!***

Advise, ala Caddyshack: Noonan, There is a special force in the universe..... Learn what 13lbs pull feels like and BE the SST.

The rest of you follow the FSM.

Rick
Click to expand...

:lol:I like it! I just rebuilt mine and tried to use a fish scale I had on hand. I wound up not trusting it and used 'the Force' instead:D. Turned out alright!

Butt
 
jascolt said:
Spike Strip those pics look like the blasted guts of a Transformer (Megatron):p

And I will be all in mine for the first time in the morning.:doh:
Click to expand...

Yup -- Shows you what it looks like inside when a seal goes. Other side was worse.

New Marlin seals are the way to go! Man, those things are beefy. :)
 
I go by feel and a long time ago I was having trouble with spinning wheel bearings. Didn't have a spring scale in those days. A 4X shop owner friend told me "Those are big bearings, you can tighten them up more than you think that you should and they'll be fine." So I tried it while monitoring the hub temperatures on the long drive back to college. Guess what? They got appropriately warm, but nothing close to hot.

This last go-round with wheel bearings I tightened them the way that I had been doing this job post his advice, and then got out the spring scale that I use for setting pinion bearing pre-load. I was right at the high side of the FSM's spec. Did it again and tested it again. Same result, at or just a little over the high end of the spec. Of course I'll check the temps from time to time once I'm fix the brake FlusterCluck and am able to drive the truck again, but I'll be surprised if there are any problems.
 
Anybody remember Junk?

He gave me the best advice ever on knuckle re-builds.


1- Use toilet paper to clean the goo out.

2- Use oven cleaner to get the caked on grease off the outside of the knuckle.
 
knuckle SST

I have been able to get by with a carraige bolt, nut, and appropriate sized socket. Kind of ghetto, but it works to push them out. I was replacing with new bearings so I was not worried about salvage. The Toyota SST is expensive; you might want to fab up something. There are several other ideas sprinkled around in various posts.
 
Heartworm said:
I have been able to get by with a carraige bolt, nut, and appropriate sized socket. Kind of ghetto, but it works to push them out. I was replacing with new bearings so I was not worried about salvage. The Toyota SST is expensive; you might want to fab up something. There are several other ideas sprinkled around in various posts.
Click to expand...

Thanks Heartworm. Good advice.
 
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