Front axle housing or knuckle or spindle most likely to bend?

[bloc]

Hello all,

This is preliminary as I don't yet have alignment numbers to verify things, but my front passenger side wheel appears leaned outward slightly.

The locking axle came off an 80 that had been rolled.

In the experience of the board, what is most likely to bend? The housing? The knuckle? the spindle? The trunion cap pins? What is the best way to figure out exactly what is bent?

I do have a spare used spindle and trunion caps that I can install when I change birfs soon.. problem with changing the caps is I'll have to make sure the knuckle is still centered and reset preload..

 

[pilotuku]

Not much of a help but, I'm following this....

My DS is a bit leaning inwards from the top. Been like this for two years but wasn't prior. I have been to Rubicon and other trails and didn't have issue, on and off pavement. Rebuilt the front end upon learning, nothing seems to be out of place. I have a J lift and had installed Slee's 2 degree trunion bearing.

I was told that the trunion bearing may have not sat properly on the install, we removed and re installed, same thing. I still couldn't tell if it is bent from the knuckle or the housing.

After my lift and 35's installed, got an alignment:

L Camber: 1.7 (0.3-1.8)
L Caster: 1.9 (2.0-4.0)

All numbers are 0.1 below specs. I have no vibrations, tracks straight, she behaves very well on the road at speeds and even hard braking. This may have a long term effect on her but, I opted not to track down the cause anymore and spend more money as she is great and I am happy, well, for now. Not my DD.

Good luck!

 

[sbman]

From looking at the assembly with all the parts in my hands, the weakest part to me looks to be the spindle. Once you have it apart you should be able to measure against a 90 degree block and see how straight it is.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

They typically bend at the neck of the knuckle ball.

You need a new housing. I got one from Toyota about 4 years ago after #1 son borrowed my 80 for a desert trip.

 

[2fpower]

if the car wrecked, it could easily be the axle tube. I made a jig for straightening mine based on ideas here on mud and was amazed at how easy it was to bend.

I would say that you should be able to notice an issue if you try to pull out the axle from the housing as it will not be centered.

 

[jcardona1]

I added RuffStuff knuckle gussets to reinforce the neck at the ball...