97 imported cruiser needs a knuckle rebuild?

[antialiased]

Hey, hoping someone /anyone can share their knowledge. I've had a 97 land cruiser for about 9 years now and it has an issue / issues. First is the death shudder that started a few years ago, and lately it sheared off a couple of the knuckle studs on the passenger side. While I was looking at the knuckle I noticed that is seemed to have inordinate play. However, I know what I don't know, and I don't know enough about how a steering knuckle normally operates to tell if this is bad or normal... (Last car I seriously worked on was an mg midget 30 years ago - which is nothing like a land cruiser).



Since I can't get parts here, if it needs a knuckle rebuild I'm hoping to pick up parts while I'm in the USA in a few weeks when I'm back visiting family. Of course if this play is normal, then I may never figure out the death shudder and will just grab some new studs and hope for the best. Thanks in advance.

 

[NeverFinis]

You don't have the bottom knuckle arm attached...so, it is meaningless what you are doing. If you don't already have it, time to get the FSM from the resource section.

If you are doing a rebuild, get the full knuckle rebuild kit with the knuckle top/bottom bearings. Something like this: 8x Series Knuckle Rebuild Kit - Fits 1/1990-1/1998 80/81 Series & LX450 (FA9097) - https://cruiserteq.com/8x-series-knuckle-rebuild-kit-fits-1-1990-1-1998-80-81-series-lx450-fa9097/?searchid=0&search_query=knuckle+rebuild

@cruiseroutfit maybe able to get you a kit once you are stateside.

Edited to add, death wobble is usually due to worn suspension bushings...time to check them all and get them replaced. Also, check your alignment.

 

[Kernal]

Definitely download the FSM as mentioned above

https://forum.ih8mud.com/resources/1996-land-cruiser-service-manual-rm451u.270/

Here's a good video that goes over the Front Axle Service (Aussie's refer to it as the Swivel Hub Rebuild)

 

[antialiased]

Thanks for the responses. Actually have the physical manual, but it doesn't describe this occurring either in my manual or the one linked above (whether this play is normal or abnormal), so was asking here. Will assume it's ok based on the responses above. Since I can't just get almost any parts other than break shoes on this continent and no mechanic here has ever seen one of these vehicles other than mine, I'm kind-of stuck with waiting for parts to break and then either waiting a year or two for a trip back to the USA or seeing if someone here can fabricate a replacement (had to do that with shocks to pass inspection last year). Can't take too much apart because if something silly breaks during diagnosis it can mean months or years without a vehicle - hence why I didn't take apart the knuckle to check. Just figured if this was clearly damaged / in need of repair, I'd be able to get parts to repair/rebuild it while I had the chance.