Knuckle Rebuild and Drum Brake Overhaul

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talibraza101

talibraza101

Joined
Jul 16, 2025
Threads
7
Messages
49
Location
MD, USA
Hello!

I am currently rebuilding my knuckle seals on my 1971 FJ40 as they were leaking. I just pulled and cleaned the front knuckle lower plates. I was wondering what you all think of the condition of these plates? Are they reusable?

Thanks alot!
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They look chewed up to me - might be useable.
Download some free manuals

Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs)

Factory service manuals (FSMs) for your Toyota Land Cruiser ! From the 1950s to the present!
www.cruisercult.com www.cruisercult.com

FJ40, FJ55, FJ60 and FJ62 Front Axle Housing, Birfield Axle, Knuckle, Wheel Stud, Lug Nut and Hub Assembly, 1968-1/90 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road

Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...
www.sor.com www.sor.com
 
charliemeyer007 said:
They look chewed up to me - might be useable.
Download some free manuals

Land Cruiser Factory Service Manuals (FSMs)

Factory service manuals (FSMs) for your Toyota Land Cruiser ! From the 1950s to the present!
www.cruisercult.com www.cruisercult.com

FJ40, FJ55, FJ60 and FJ62 Front Axle Housing, Birfield Axle, Knuckle, Wheel Stud, Lug Nut and Hub Assembly, 1968-1/90 Land Cruiser - Specter Off-Road

Toyota Land Cruiser parts since 1983. From the oldest FJ25 and to the newest Land Cruiser, Non USA or domestic 40 Series, 60 Series 80 Series or 100 Series, SOR has the largest selection of top quality new and used OEM and aftermarket Land Cruiser parts in stock in the world. Specializing in...
www.sor.com www.sor.com
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Thank you for your response. It seems theres definitely some tiny holes on the cylindrical surface where the bearings ride on. Do you all think thats alright to reuse?
 
I think there will be proper inspection procedures in the correct manual. How the bearing fit will be important. Not sure about non usa stuff fitment, and some of those south america mechanics used creative repairs to say the least.
Have you watched some knuckle rebuild vids? 40Channel comes to mind
 
I think i would try to find ones in better shape.
 
They look like the bearings spun which I don't understand how since the rotational speed is not fast. But looks like there is way to much clearance now.
You can replace with new like parts or upgrade with later knuckles and increase the trunnion and bearing size.
 
Thank you both!
 
Sorry, my forum hadn’t loaded all the responses before I last posted. I so appreciate all of your feedback. I’m ordering the “used bearing cap” from SOR and will update you all when I get it situated.

I’m gonna stick to the drum brake front axle for the time being until I can figure out a way to get a donor axle with discs. I’m not gonna lie, acquiring a donor axle sounds super daunting at the moment, so I feel like sticking to my current axle+drum brakes and dialing them in as much as possible will really help me learn how to work on these rigs and build some confidence before taking on bigger endeavors.

Thank you all for the responses and helping me learn! Could not do it without yall.
 
You don't need a different axle to have disc brakes just later knuckles and spindles.
 
Clean, fit bearing to see how tolerance fit it is. This is low speed bearing that only uses grease. Leak is not because of bearing failure it’s due to axle seal and gear fluid mixing with knuckle.

If ID of new bearing fits well and no play, reuse.
 
@talibraza101, it's probably best to stick with this thread until your project is done, so folks can follow and have all the pertainate info. You dont have to start new threads each time you have question on this subject. Some folks like to generate a build type thread to cover all their projects on their 40. @POPO AGIE and others, @talibraza101 started another thread on tearing down his front end for a knuckle rebuild and found out it has ball and claw axles. With that discovery, I dont think Toyota disc brakes can be adapted to it. Fyi
 
71 should not be ball & claw ? Call Georg at Valley Hybrids/Cruiser brothers & start planning the axle upgrade now, you never know when there is a take out available at a reasonable price and they will know the details surrounding the axle upgrade, - steering, brake lines, dline flange for the third so it bolts to your drive shaft.
 
POPO AGIE said:
You don't need a different axle to have disc brakes just later knuckles and spindles.
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Really?!?!? Do these components also need to be sourced from a donor vehicle? Thanks!
 
pb4ugo said:
@talibraza101, it's probably best to stick with this thread until your project is done, so folks can follow and have all the pertainate info. You dont have to start new threads each time you have question on this subject. Some folks like to generate a build type thread to cover all their projects on their 40. @POPO AGIE and others, @talibraza101 started another thread on tearing down his front end for a knuckle rebuild and found out it has ball and claw axles. With that discovery, I dont think Toyota disc brakes can be adapted to it. Fyi
Click to expand...
Thank you. Apologies.
 
talibraza101 said:
Really?!?!? Do these components also need to be sourced from a donor vehicle? Thanks!
Click to expand...
You can do internet searches or post here on MUD classified. I replaced my knuckles on my 78 with later 40 and 60 that have a larger bolt pattern and larger studs from 10mm to 11mm. When I converted my rear axle to a full floater I reused the front wheel hubs so I could use front disc brakes. I reused my rear differential in the FJ60 rear axle housing that I bought on eBay. I bought a pair of spindles from one of the LC venders and did not have to spend more then $90 for the pair that I used on the 60 axle housing. Both my front and rear axles have the same wheel bearings and uses the same parts and the same hub socket to service all four hubs.
I got my my larger trunnions. bearings and steering arms from FROR in Colorado, and put a big brake kit on it from Red Line in Colorado.

Land Cruisers are very modular and you can mix and match parts from different years and series.

MUD is a great resource for part sourcing and help.
 
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