Knuckle Bearing Cap Race Stuck!

[Spike Strip]

Doing a Knuckle rebuild on my 4/74 FJ40 - First time the knuckles have been apart (only 65K miles on the truck) in 43 years!

Both the bottom bearing cap and the top steering arm have the inner bearing race frozen on the pin. I was going to heat and beat, to try to knock the race off, but any other tips/tricks for removing?

Thanks!

.

 

[B y r o n]

You might try a bearing separator.

 

[tornadoalleycruiser]

bearing splitter

 

[brian]

Heating be just fine.

 

[Dynosoar]

Put the cap in a vise, apply copious amounts of heat, and grab the race with a pipe wrench and turn.

Dyno

 

[brian]

Shouldnt take much heat.
Its not an interference fit.

 

[1969FJ]

I had the same issue. Used a puller but had to grind some grab places in the race.

 

[shawnfj40]

A splitter and a hammer. I just tighten up the splitter when its all the way at the base of the bearing and then turn it sideways and smack with a hammer to split the bearing from the pin. Once you have it moving it will come out pretty easy after that.

 

[Rock40]

That's a very common problem and it won't take much to separate it. As others have said, I'd use a bearing splitter. In the past, all I've needed was two blocks of wood, a drift and a small hammer. Block up the arm, then strike the lip of the old race downward with the drift. It'll separate.

 

[Spike Strip]

A beer to those who suggested a Splitter -- worked like a charm and easy peasy. Had to use on all four. Best 30 bux I ever spent at HF.

 

[B y r o n]

You now have one more tool in your arsenal.

Glad things worked out for you.

 

[rrv333]

Splitter or heat and a BFH