Bent Knuckle Housing - Advice?

[SassyLiquor]

So... after owning my '77 FJ45 for 4 days (my first car by the way!) I got into an accident and haven't been able to drive it for months

I was hit in the front driver's side wheel and when I took the steering knuckles apart I wasn't able to pull the left hand drive shaft out of the axle housing.

That's when I realised the knuckle housing is crimped over the birfield joint and doesn't give the driveshaft enough room to be pulled out.

Can it be bent back or should I just get a new housing?

Since everything is already apart, is there anything else I should take the opportunity to do? I already have a knuckle rebuild kit with new wheel bearings. I was planning on switching to disk brakes at some point, does it make sense to do that now?

Thanks, and sorry if this question is already answered somewhere, I tried searching and couldn't find anything specifically addressing this problem.

 

[Clutchee]

New housing.

 

[Poser]

Switch to disc brakes now, using a different, known-good front axle housing.

 

[65swb45]

I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I would say it’s improbable. Will the axleshaft rotate in the knuckle? If so, are you SURE you’ve oriented it for removal?

Try pulling LIGHTLY while you rotate it.

 

[Varty Yo]

Ok 1st of all where are the pics of the 45???? 77 seems to be a really common year up here i had 1 my buddy has 1 and i know of 3 more haha

 

[1969FJ]

 

[Michael B]

Pictures?!!!!!

 

[jim land]

rotate the birfield to get the flat on top and bottom , grab the outer shaft and play up and down while you pull , sometime it need a little momentum too

 

[jim land]

if you go for a new axle housing try to find a 79-84 , bigger: birfs ,knuckle studs ,aisin locking hub

 

[H8PVMNT]

I was able to straighten up a front housing with a piece or rail road iron, a log chain and a big bottle jack. It was guess work but I lucked out just eyeballing it off the rear tires for alignment. I was able to pull my axles out and tire wore nice and flat.

 

[stevebradford]

Where in BC are you? I have a complete 1980 disc brake axle, also a 70’s drum brake axle. I’m on Vancouver island though.

 

[SassyLiquor]

Wow, thanks for the help guys!

For the people who are asking if I oriented the birfield the right way... I definitely did, the other side came out nice and smooth. I took a close look at the left hand side, and there definitely isn't any clearance.

Where in BC are you? I have a complete 1980 disc brake axle, also a 70’s drum brake axle. I’m on Vancouver island though.

I'm in Whistler, you aren't planning on going skiing anytime soon are you? And I'm not sure what makes the most sense between either axle. Logically, it seems like it would probably be easier to put the disk brake axle in... but I think I've also read that it's nice to have the conversion kit because it makes getting replacement rotors and pads easier (and cheaper).

-1980's front axle and just get a kit for the rear?
-70's front axle and get a kit for all four corners?

Here's the picture you guys were asking for (don't mind my housemate):

 

[jim land]

stock rotors and calipers are cheap and easy to find , you can get the bigger 90-95 4runner caliper even easier to find , it will bolt-on after a little trim on the backing plates

your 45 got some non 77 parts , pre-74 windshield frame and bib , aqualu fenders , custom doors.
i like the split rimes and skinny tires

 

[jim land]

show us pics of the damage

 

[Varty Yo]

Oh i know that truck it was for sale here for awhile

 

[3_puppies]

Oh i know that truck it was for sale here for awhile

I thought that looked familiar