Improving sealing on steering knuckle felt seals

[serenity]

I'm guessing I'm not alone in finding that the factory felt seal doesn't always do an effective job. Especially in muddy conditions. I've been thinking of a few ideas to try and improve the effectiveness of the felt seals.

1. Wax, either normal car wax or a heavier wax. Would wear off over time but is cheap and would be easy to apply onto the felt seal and ball.

2. Rustoleums Neverwet product, not sure if this dries hard. If so it probably wouldn't be effective as it would harden the felt.

3. Painting the ball with POR15 and polishing it smooth would give the felt and rubber a more uniform surface, improving their ability to wipe off mud and water.

Or a combination of these things?

Anything else you guys have tried or have thought of?

I am thinking of doing some testing once I get my cruiser back on the road. Try one idea on one side so I can see its effectiveness.

 

[120mm]

I've seen a painted ball on a 1996 Series 80.

It didn't leak, but the owner was unaware Birfelds required lubrication in the first place so the lack of leakage may have indicated a dry birf.

While paint may add thickness and aid in sealing initially, I would think that the added thickness would merely erode the seal as the original ball does.

 

[Locked79]

For mud ingress, have you seen these?

I have seen por15 used on pitted knuckles with good success.

 

[serenity]

Damn, how did I miss this? Do you have a link for those boots?

I've used por 15 on knuckles before and I'm currently testing it on the worn seal area on my rear axle.

 

[serenity]

I've seen a painted ball on a 1996 Series 80.

It didn't leak, but the owner was unaware Birfelds required lubrication in the first place so the lack of leakage may have indicated a dry birf.

While paint may add thickness and aid in sealing initially, I would think that the added thickness would merely erode the seal as the original ball does.

I think it benefits as it creates a more uniform surface that is easier to seal than the pitted steel, especially after a few coats and sanding back smooth. Also being that it's smooth will reduce wear on the felt and rubber seal.

 

[serenity]

Found it, I feel like an idiot.
Split CV Boots For Toyota LandCruiser 78/ 79/ 70 / 80 Series | Gearing Dynamics
Can't say it's the most well advertised product, never ever seen them on a cruiser before either and they make them over here...

Weird considering the amount of people I see posting up on local forums about mud incursion into steering knuckles.

 

[Locked79]

You see em on a lot of the underground mining cruisers. I'm pretty sure that's who they were designed for.

 

[120mm]

I think it benefits as it creates a more uniform surface that is easier to seal than the pitted steel, especially after a few coats and sanding back smooth. Also being that it's smooth will reduce wear on the felt and rubber seal.

Shiney

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

I've noticed by installing the black knuckle metal seal covers with the ridge facing outward, it tightens up the felt gasket against the knuckle ball better. This keeps the moly grease ooze to a minimum.

 

[serenity]

I've noticed by installing the black knuckle metal seal covers with the ridge facing outward, it tightens up the felt gasket against the knuckle ball better. This keeps the moly grease ooze to a minimum.

I'm more concerned about stuff getting in to the knuckle, it seems to be debris getting in and causing damage that causes stuff to get out, but this could help too.

You see em on a lot of the underground mining cruisers. I'm pretty sure that's who they were designed for.

Hahaha, probably the one area of heavy industry I haven't worked in! I've done above ground mines, refineries, power stations and shipping terminals, none of the solid axle vehicles I've seen ran these.

I wonder if these keep the standard felt and rubber wipers in place too or just rely on the boot. I guess a phone call is in order this week.

 

[serenity]

The other issue I just realised is if you find that one stray stick hiding in the mud that decides to tear the boot then it's completely useless.

Maybe a rubber impregnated Kevlar would do the trick.

 

[Rivman1243]

Anyone tried trail gears seals? Just put them on my brothers 88 mini truck and they seem to be the way to go

 

[jkdowty]

Anyone tried trail gears seals? Just put them on my brothers 88 mini truck and they seem to be the way to go

I've got an 89 mini that I did a SAS on and 2 years of wheeling later still no leaks coming from the trail-gear seals... I plan to use them on my 80 when I do Knuckle service do yourself a favor and get the thicker rock ring upgrade from them too... They squeeze everything a little tighter... But I think with my 80 I'll put some of those boots on there since it will be a DD and looks kind of cool!

 

[Rivman1243]

I liked them but it was the first time I rebuilt a Toyota front axle so I dont have anything to compare them to. I plan on using them when I do my 80

 

[Seth_O]

For mud ingress, have you seen these?

View attachment 1232332

I run something very similar on my deuce, stock from the factory. It works well, but be aware that you have to change them every couple of years as the rubber dries out and cracks. Its very rare that I hear of anyone stabbing anything into/through them. Although to be fair, the deuce generally has a much different clearance profile than an 80 does

 

[Izeloz]

I used the Trail Gear seals on my rebuild. So far I am happy with them.

 

[spartan]

The ones I put on have worked very well. Better than any factory felt seal I ever replaced. Memory here....Longfields?

https://www.trail-gear.com/TG/Trail...ls/i_0_0_5018/_303682-1-KIT.aspx#.VvlulfkrIhc

Looks like they have modified the original design since I put mine on. The ones I put on had a cut which was sorta nice because you could install them without front axle disassembly and were / are really hard material. They were kinda of a bitch to get right so it appears to be a redesigned product.

I will say that mine work very well and the cuts they reference don't allow anything in or out other than grease. Just tricky to install correctly. I will use these next rebuild though. Looks like a very nice product - generation 2 from what I used last.

 

[2fpower]

I've seen a painted ball on a 1996 Series 80.

It didn't leak, but the owner was unaware Birfelds required lubrication in the first place so the lack of leakage may have indicated a dry birf.

While paint may add thickness and aid in sealing initially, I would think that the added thickness would merely erode the seal as the original ball does.

I had really pitted rusty balls (that sounds like a personal problem) and I did the JB Weld fill then sanded and painted with 2 part epoxy/john deere blitz black, and I agree that they have stayed very clean. I also like that they will not rust now, that then leads to more wear on the seals.

 

[82much]

When I re did mine I put all purpose grease on the felt. Hopefully that will keep water out and grease in.

 

[spartan]

I would never, ever never, put a boot like that on. Gonna trap moisture and rust, plus you can't see what's going on in there. You get a leaking inner seal, goop in your boot and you will never see it till your front axle is fuxxored. Bad concept - bad design - looks cool.