Do These Look Okay? Just dirty or leaking?

[afm735]

Hi Everyone-
I think I found a pretty good deal on a '97 Lexus LX450. One quick question, do these look okay?
Thanks in advance for all of your help.
-Randy

 

[Trapper50cal]

The driver looks okay, passenger looks to have blown a seal. Looks like gear oil contaminating the the knuckle grease. Time for the front axle service.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

They look ok to me, if you get it I would check the grease level in the knuckle to make sure. Looks like its just the normal amount of grease that gets by the wiper that has dried. The drivers does have a bit more than the pass as 50call said so a reseal is in the cards (as with any used 80 at some point or another).

For reference when I got mine they were both dripping on the driveway and covering the inside of the tire and breaks. A knuckle rebuild is something that is inevitable though no mater there condition now. If you get it I would check the grease level and top it up as described in many places here. Then collect the parts for a reseal at your leisure.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

They were leaking , it's due for a front end rebuild. Could just be seals and wipers but may need birfs. Point that out when negotiating.

 

[corsair23]

IMO they actually look dry...

"Some" grease is supposed to get by the wipers to lubricate the balls and those look dry...I definitely don't see the typical "goop" that would indicate a leaking seal?

I'd definitely pull the plug and try to get an idea of how much grease is in the knuckles...

 

[Trapper50cal]

Lot of collection in gap where travel stops and lots of collection around bottom knuckle plate. (pass side)

By trapper50cal at 2012-02-23

you are right that they look dry though, maybe because they are darn near empty...
at the very least, that sweeper is toast.

 

[kidglove13]

they dont look bad at all
They look more dry then anything, they need to be greased
My theory is if it is not physically leaking gear oil and there is not grease being flung every where your good to go.

Check the grease level in the knuckles and fill accordingly if needed
And I bet they do
Also drain and refill the diff
Otherwise I see no need to tear into that front end
Just my opinion

 

[afm735]

Thanks everyone. So, what I'm gathering is:
1) This isn't a deal breaker,
2) Use cost of repair/replace as negotiating tactic,
3) Make sure there's enough grease in there for a while, and
4) Plan on a rebuild sometime in the future

This is a stock vehicle. I plan on doing a baseline then starting a mild build, which will include a lift, re-gearing, etc (maybe 6 months down the road). I will plan an axle rebuild for that time as well.

Again, thanks everyone, and if the deal goes through, I'll post more pics.
-Randy

 

[Trapper50cal]

Thanks everyone. So, what I'm gathering is:
1) This isn't a deal breaker,
2) Use cost of repair/replace as negotiating tactic,
3) Make sure there's enough grease in there for a while, and
4) Plan on a rebuild sometime in the future

This is a stock vehicle. I plan on doing a baseline then starting a mild build, which will include a lift, re-gearing, etc (maybe 6 months down the road). I will plan an axle rebuild for that time as well.

Again, thanks everyone, and if the deal goes through, I'll post more pics.
-Randy

EXACTLY

 

[kidglove13]

You will be fine
Just make sure that the knuckles have enough grease in them and run it
check every once in a while to make sure you are not leaking any gear oil or that it is not becoming a real greasy mess

 

[Kernal]

They look very good IMHO compared to most non-Mudder owned trucks. As mentioned already, check/add grease, plan for a front axle service.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

One thing I would check for is clicking when the wheel is turned full over and accelerating. If its clicking then the birfs them selves need to be replaced $1300 in parts alone.

 

[afm735]

One thing I would check for is clicking when the wheel is turned full over and accelerating. If its clicking then the birfs them selves need to be replaced $1300 in parts alone.

Oooo... good advice. Thanks and I will try this.
-Randy

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Oooo... good advice. Thanks and I will try this.
-Randy

Its not the end of the world or a deal breaker but its something you can use to your advantage when working out a price. Some people have been able to swap theirs from side to side with some success. Mine did not change when I did that and im in the market now for some longfiled axles/birfs.

 

[Trapper50cal]

seems like its always the perfect time to replace them, when you have it all opened up.

 

[Wheelingnoob]

seems like its always the perfect time to replace them, when you have it all opened up.

Yep nothing worse than getting the reseal done then driving it and hearing the clicking to know you need to dig back in there again to replace the birfs.

 

[MARLIN375]

As others have said, I think they look fine. The dirt that has collected looks to have done so over a long period of time. Your knuckles are supposed to release a certain amount of grease keeping contamination at a minimum because it is always traveling outward, a good greasy ball is a happy ball....and I must say those look rather happy, shine, and zero rust even at the top. Judging from that I would say this truck has had regular service. I still see these trucks on used lots and some of the balls look so dry you would swear they are still running the original grease.

 

[Tools R Us]

My guess is; they are dry, low on grease. Check for clicking on turns. If you buy it, add moly to the proper level, SOON.

 

[BrotherRob]

My guess is; they are dry, low on grease. Check for clicking on turns. If you buy it, add moly to the proper level, SOON.

If the grease stays in and there's no clicking, you're good to go.

 

[CycloSteve]

I would say go for it. The fact that they are crusty for one says that they have not been serviced in quite some time. Definitely this is a negotiating point which is to your advantage. The good part is as long as there is grease in the knuckles, and the Birfs are not clicking, you can wait to do this service a bit longer, as they are not gushing fluids out of the seals.



Steve