85 FJ60 help! (1 Viewer)

[F1R3DAWG]

Can anybody tell me what exactly I need and the best place to order it from? Understand I'm not mechanically inclined (learning how) but my neighbor is and he's be who would be helping me fix this so I'm not paying a shop $90/hr. The following is of the front drivers and passenger hubs. So far it hasn't affected my drive ability/use of 4x4 but it's only a matter of time I feel. Been like this for about 2 years now (I know I'm a terrible FJ owner)

 

[Oaks]

If it were me. I would contact Kurt @cruiseroutfitters and order the knuckle rebuild kit!
http://cruiseroutfitters.com/lockers.html

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

X2 ^^

J

 

[87CRUSR]

Xx3

 

[The Phoenician]

XXX =

 

[JohninFla]

And here is the link to the ultimate thread in the FAQ section, which you should study right after you pressure wash that gunk off both sides.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/birfield-repack-info.46447/

 

[F1R3DAWG]

Thanks guys! Hopefully it won't kick my ass too bad

 

[Stumpalama]

It's not a difficult job, just REALLY, REALLY messy. Every Cruiser owner should do their own knuckles at least once. Good luck.

 

[woytovich]

Buy a Box o Rags and a box of nitrile gloves. Stay organized and clean everything as you remove it.

 

[The Phoenician]

there's no shame in wearing an apron when you do a knuckle job. Just don't take pictures and don't admit to it.

 

[Output Shaft]

Since FJ60's have part time 4WD, sort-of-weepy outer knuckle oil seals and felt wipers are not a big deal. If you want to go to the trouble to make it look nicer, then replace the seals & clean it up. That's what I did. Otherwise just keep the knuckle full of grease & check/change your front differential oil more often if grease is getting into the front axle housing gear oil.
Clean off the grime if it bugs you... but remember....when it comes to iron vs rust.... Grime Is Your Friend.

I think it is safe to say that there are untold thousands of FJ60-62 Land Cruisers that have knuckles that look just like yours... many worse. Old car, weeping seals, built up grime.... Not a big deal...just keep them full of grease.

Now if your trunion bearings are worn ... that is something else.....Time for a steering knuckle rebuild.

P.S.
Black paint DOES look better than grime.

Before:

After:

 

[woytovich]

After:
View attachment 942082

But what does it look like now?

 

[BGarcia88FJ62]

Find out where a club or enthusiast are in your area you'd be amazed at the experienced help you could find with a simple
enticement of food and beer!

 

[Output Shaft]

But what does it look like now?

The "After" pic is the "Now" pic.... since I just recently did them, and the car has been down for engine work and not driven for a few months.
As we know, knuckles get dirty pretty fast when driving on dirt roads. Gotta take a picture of them the day they are finished.... cuz they ain't gunna look like that for long

[Edit... & here is a very helpful YouTube vid that gives a good detailed step-by-step procedure how to do the job.. This was on a FJ80.. but it is very similar to the 60 knuckle.]

 

[Stumpalama]

I would not recommend the "just keep filling them with grease" approach. Moly grease is specified for a particular reason in these knuckles, specifically the moly properties that create a coating on the rotating metal surfaces to prevent wear, friction and galling. Introduction of gear oil washes the moly off the metal surfaces and well, we know how that turns out. Left long enough, the gear oil will find its way into the hub and wash the grease from those as well and even the wheel bearings in extreme cases.
If done correctly, a knuckle rebuild will last another 80k-100k miles. That is worth it in my opinion. Not to mention, unless you are the original owner, not knowing the condition of the parts in the knuckle.
Chances are, if it looks like that, it may be time to think about R&Ring the wheel bearings anyway.