knuckle rebuild conundrum

[bajafgl]

Hi everyone, before I leave on my trip from baja to Colorado, the knuckles have to be redone.Im looking for opinions.
I don't have somewhere to do it myself, so I found someone with a good reputation that knows what he is doing. He took a look at them and said I needed a Overhaul gasket set oem # 0443460015 and a spindle seal set OEM # 4320460020. 10 days to get the parts and $300 for them.

I have never heard of the spindle set needed to be changed while doing the knuckles.
Im pressed for time, I leave at the end of this month, I would need to give him the money tomorrow in order to make the deadline.

What do you guys think????
thanks for all your opinions.

 

[NocalFJ60]

Why do you think they need to be rebuilt? You can get a knuckle kit for a lot less with all the bearings and gaskets. I am not sure what you mean by spindle seal kit. If the knuckles have never been rebuilt, then you will probably want all the knuckle seals, knuckle bearings, wheel bearings, & axle seals. I would jack the front up and check the wheel bearing play. Pull the sqaure head bolts on top and check the grease and maybe add some and then drive. You can always pickup a kit or get them done once you get into CA.

 

[brian]

you do realize that's just a gasket set and not new spindels?

and yes to do it right, you need that set too.

 

[splitshot]

Check with Kurt at Cruiser Outfitters, he's got a good deal on the kits.
And I agree with Nocal, if you don't have alot of play, grease 'em up and tackle it when you get back to the states.

 

[bajafgl]

they are driping a small amount but don't know for how long its been like this.
So how long can I keep driving like this.
I would like to address this know but if it can wait 2 thousand miles, I can tackle it in the states.

So I DO need the spindle seal set when doing the knuckles?

this is the closes pic i got at the moment, that drip was after 5 days.

 

[NocalFJ60]

You will want a whole knuckle kit to rebuild it right. I still don't know what you mean by spindle seal kit.

I would jack up the front like I said and grab the tires at 12' & 6' o'clock and check the play in the wheel bearings. They are probably fine and you just got some leaks. Put some grease in there with a gun and hit the road. Keep an eye on them if you like but they should be fine. Worry about it after gettting back to Colorado. Look into kit from Marlin Crawlers and pickup some of his axle seals he designed.

You probably got a axle seal leaking which is getting in with the grease and causing it to leak. Does the fluid seem like gear oil? If you leaked a lot you might want to check your front diff. fluid level but alittle like that is not going to be a problem.

Enjoy the drive back.

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

they are driping a small amount but don't know for how long its been like this.
So how long can I keep driving like this.
I would like to address this know but if it can wait 2 thousand miles, I can tackle it in the states.

So I DO need the spindle seal set when doing the knuckles?

this is the closes pic i got at the moment, that drip was after 5 days.

you have a leaking axle seal, as others indicated.
the knuckle kits include all the seals, also the spindle seals. I don't know what your mechanic means exactly, but the individual seals are just a few $ each.

For 2000 miles I'd do what was recommended-refill with grease from the square bolts, and drive it. unless the bearings are lose, which is unlikely. To test, lift a wheel, and wiggle the tire. there should be no lateral movement.
j

 

[bajafgl]

Thanks for your replays. I think you just saved me from a paying to much for something that is still not needed, My budget thanks you.

I think I will do just that, Check the bearings and regrease.

Should I change the diff oil as well?

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

Thanks for your replays. I think you just saved me from a paying to much for something that is still not needed, My budget thanks you.

I think I will do just that, Check the bearings and regrease.

Should I change the diff oil as well?

just check if it's full.

 

[bajafgl]

I think he is trying to play me with that extra spindle set that probably already comes in the knuckle kit.

 

[Spike Strip]

First of all, if you use 3-syllable words, here, like conundrum, only 3 or 4 people will know what you're asking (I'm not one of 'em -).

x5 on what they said.

Are you in Mexico ? Maybe that's why it's harder to get the kit? And that was $300 for parts, alone, yes?

 

[bajafgl]

Yes I'm in Mexico.
San Jose del Cabo in the Baja Peninsula to be precise.
And yes $300 for parts only.

If the leaking axle seal can hold up at lease 2k miles. I will tackle the job in the states.

 

[Spike Strip]

Seal should hold, you're just going to get grease (rust preventative) everywhere... Make sure knuckles are filled when you leave and take some grease and gear oil with you. Which way are you gonna take to CO? There's a couple dozen good cruiser mechanics along the way if you want to stop and have it done... And certainly there's good guys in CO.

Price of parts may have something to do with exchange rates btwn Peso - Dollar - Yen.?

Good luck!

 

[bajafgl]

Im picking up my wife and 4 month old son in LA. Then she has to be in Park City by the 10th of July to get tested, she's a Olympic Alpine Skier. Finally driving to Vail CO. I leave Cabo the last day of June so that leaves me enough days to take it easy driving up, Definitely stopping in Scorpion Bay for at least 3 days of perfect surf.

The problem is we are on a tight schedule, but Ill find some time once Im in Colorado, Im sure I'll find a good mechanic there, or I will do it myself if I gather the courage.

 

[Spike Strip]

Yeah, get a few of the right tools (and there are plenty of write-ups on knuckle rebuilds- as well as pdf's of the FSM), and have at it. You'll save $$ and get that warm-over feeling that you've conquered something scary (or you've had too many beers and wet your pants)

Good luck with it... If you want to get it done in L.A. I'd recommend K&H Imports in Canoga Park. (818) 5940088 LC specialists and very good guys. Ask for Richard.

Tell your wife to stay away from the Poppy seeds

 

[Dynosoar]

When you get to LA, there are a bunch of cruiser heads that would be willing to get it done in an afternoon for you. Just ask real nice and bring the ice cold Pacificos.


Dynosoar

 

[Joe Egolf]

Drip

Drip? What drip?? Grease her up ,check diff gear oil and drive her home. I got a complete kit and Marlin crawler super seals from Marlin Crawlers for under $100

 

[Cruzerman]

And when you do finally take it apart, don't forget to use the Marlin axle seals. They rock.

 

[wengejor]

x2 on the Marlin Axel Seals...

 

[5280Hawk]

That is a Minor Drip!

Whe i first picked up my 60, I Drove It across Colorado with seals so bad (unknown to me), that when i filled the diff with gear oil after i got home the bottom of the tire on one side was COVERED with oil after a day. :whoops:

Made it From Durango to Denver, over Wolf Creek pass that way.