HELP, steering knuckle specialty tool

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J

Johnyakimo1855

Joined
Nov 4, 2010
Threads
35
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113
Location
Austin, TX
Just brought home my first Cruiser, 89 FJ62. It has 213k and the front wheels were loose and the birfs were leaking. I tore into it and ordered all new bearings and seals. I get to the part where I need to remove the steering knuckles. I found out that I need two specialty tools to remove them properly. No big deal, broke out the laptop and ordered the bearing cup remover pt # 09606-60020-01 and the steering knuckle centering gauge pt # 09634-60014. I received a call today stating that the bearing remover is on backorder until late July, called OTC and was told the same. This was ridiculous, I need it now. So my question(s) is as follows:

Is there a way to make a homemade tool? or does someone have one they want to sell?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
John
 
Are you trying to get the knuckle bearing races out?

I just used a punch to get those out there is a spot in the casting that gives you access to the back of the bearing race so you can beat it out.
 
Johnyakimo1855 said:
Just brought home my first Cruiser, 89 FJ62. It has 213k and the front wheels were loose and the birfs were leaking. I tore into it and ordered all new bearings and seals. I get to the part where I need to remove the steering knuckles. I found out that I need two specialty tools to remove them properly. No big deal, broke out the laptop and ordered the bearing cup remover pt # 09606-60020-01 and the steering knuckle centering gauge pt # 09634-60014. I received a call today stating that the bearing remover is on backorder until late July, called OTC and was told the same. This was ridiculous, I need it now. So my question(s) is as follows:

Is there a way to make a homemade tool? or does someone have one they want to sell?

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
John
Click to expand...

You don't need either of those tools to perform the work you want to do. After you address the knuckles you should consider flushing the transmission and adding a large aftermarket cooler if one is not currently installed. Read any of the many knuckle rebuild threads here and jump in.
 
when you get the knuckle apart keep track of what shims are on top and what shims are on the bottom. If you do that you should not need the centering tool. You would only need the tool if you were replacing the axle housing or knuckle or if you don't pay attention to the shims.

The bearing cup remover does two things: it will press the knuckle cap out of the old bearing and it will support the new bearing when re-installing the knuckle cap. It does not remove the bearing race (that is done with a punch). If you are reasonably careful you probably don't need that tool. The link above for the rufus website is a reasonable reproduction of the tool, however the real tool has different ends: a small diameter end that will push the out the knuckle cap from inside the bearing and a larger diameter end that is wide enough to support the wide end of the bearing (I think it is wider than the wide end of the race).
 
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the only special tools you need (but can do without) are brass drifts, c-clip plyers and a 54mm socket.

re-use shims in the exact spots you take them off
 
Lost said:
the only special tools you need (but can do without) are brass drifts, c-clip plyers and a 54mm socket.

re-use shims in the exact spots you take them off
Click to expand...

x2 on this, but dont try to do without them IMO.
 
Lost said:
the only special tools you need (but can do without) are brass drifts, c-clip plyers and a 54mm socket.

re-use shims in the exact spots you take them off
Click to expand...

Ditto as well. Take your time, do one side at a time, label stuff as needed, and its not too bad.
 
External clip removal tool makes a world of difference. Not the kind that has a small pin that goes into holes on the ends of the clip, but the ones that merely expand outward, usually with a waffle pattern on them to keep the clips ends from slipping off. I have never invested in the big socket, I just use a drit punch to move the nuts around.
 
lehiguy said:
External clip removal tool makes a world of difference. Not the kind that has a small pin that goes into holes on the ends of the clip, but the ones that merely expand outward, usually with a waffle pattern on them to keep the clips ends from slipping off. .
Click to expand...

or you can wrestle two screwdrivers like me......:hillbilly:
 
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