79 series Hit a tree stump broken steering knuckle (wheel off)

[yorgo351]

Ok I’m new to the group
Hit a tree stump maybe 15kmh straight to the passenger front wheel. Decent hit, it pushed Ute 2m to the right and 2 m ahead.
In process of getting car back home spent a few hours getting car to place a tow truck can pick up.
I’m most intrested in what damages have happend to diff housings. As the king pin is pulled out and knuckle broken.

 

[rick_d]

Duck tape, bailing wire and bubble gum and good to go.

Big job to insure all is ok in that axle. I guess I have never seen damage like that in 30 years of looking at cruiser parts.

 

[janyyc]

Are you sure the frame is even straight after a hit like that?

 

[OGBeno]

The axle housing at a minimum is toast if not the frame itself.

 

[Rigster]

Wow! And... ouch!

The axle housing is available new, so you will have a great opportunity to inspect the drive shaft and diff as you transfer them over. But as others stated, you might want the inspect the frame first and mitigate any damage there. If the knuckle snapped quickly, that may have saved any damage to your frame.

Inspect your radius arms and mounts on the frame as well. All in all, very fixable. Never seen one snap like this! Sorry this happened, but thanks for sharing!

 

[yorgo351]

Ok thanks everyone so I suppose il get underneath and measure corner to corner for square. And radius arm mounts for damage and movement.
Not a light Ute 3t to stop so quickly. Ute should be back at mine today.

 

[AirheadNut]

There are frame dimensions in the back of the FSM that will give you 2D and 3D dimensions between major points on the frame. Use those to check your front radius arm mounts and other parts of the frame that might have been effected.

 

[Rigster]

Actually, looking at these pictures again, I am going to say your axle housing may be fine, because it looks like your steering knuckle is what gave and broke. If it snapped quick, you may be lucky and that might be all you need to replace, but measure the axle housing to make sure the end ball did not get bent askew. The axles are meant to be able to pull out, so I think your diff should be fine. Inspection and measurement of everything will verify. Best of luck!

 

[JuanJ]

The axle housing at a minimum is toast if not the frame itself.

Hello,

x2.

It is a good chance to replace the axle and steering knuckles.





Juan

 

[yorgo351]

Actually, looking at these pictures again, I am going to say your axle housing may be fine, because it looks like your steering knuckle is what gave and broke. If it snapped quick, you may be lucky and that might be all you need to replace, but measure the axle housing to make sure the end ball did not get bent askew. The axles are meant to be able to pull out, so I think your diff should be fine. Inspection and measurement of everything will verify. Best of luck!

Yes that’s right. I hope the king pin bearing didn’t damage the housing.
When it all came apart so quickly.

 

[yorgo351]

The axle housing at a minimum is toast if not the frame itself.

I hope not

 

[yorgo351]

Ok here’s the damage I’ve got it home
Bearing Races are still in and top one has marks dings.
Bottom race no marks.
Steering knuckle broken off small piece was still attached to steering arm.
Axle seal messed up.
Frame measures up good not sure on twist but it’s square.

 

[yorgo351]

 

[Clutchee]

I don’t see that as that bad, get a knuckle and bearings, seals. And replace.

 

[Rigster]

I think you got really lucky on this one. New steering knuckle (you may even find one at the wreckers), and I would just order a knuckle rebuild kit from 2024-02-08 - https://www.onlineautoparts.com.au/ as they are local to you. Get the good bearing kit with the japanese bearings. It comes with all the seals you will need as well. Best of luck on the knuckle rebuild!

 

[AirheadNut]

It would be worth checking to make sure the axle housing isn’t bent, otherwise you’ll have never ending gear oil leaks into your knuckle.

 

[Broski]

You know that the housing is bent if you have trouble sliding the Berfild in

 

[yorgo351]

It would be worth checking to make sure the axle housing isn’t bent, otherwise you’ll have never ending gear oil leaks into your knuckle.

How would I check that ??

 

[LDRF]

I hope it’s nothing too bad, but from the looks of things and reviews by us forum mechanics, it does look it’s just the knuckle components.

I’d check the axle for runout (if possible) to make sure it’s straight and didn’t get bent. Highly unlikely, but something easy to check.

 

[Broski]

How would I check that ??

No easy way without some custom tools, Like I mentioned in post #17 if you have issues sliding the axle/berfild in then you know it's bent.
If the berfild go's in and the truck pulls right or left that's another sign that the housing is bent.