Knuckle Rebuild list and cost (1 Viewer)

[landonridge]

I have two bad leaking knuckles and one is starting to smoke when it get hot. I took the vehicle into a local shop and was quoted a price of $3000 for both wheels with Toyots parts and $2200 with aftermarket parts. I dont know if this is a fair price and i wanted to see if someone has a list and what i need to make sure they are doing while they do this work. I dont have the skill or time to try this myseld as my son needs this next week to drive to college. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Rusty Marlin]

Cruiser Outfitters

8x Series Knuckle Rebuild Kit - Fits 1/1990-1/1998 80/81 Series & LX450

8x Series Knuckle Rebuild Kit - Fits 8x 1/1990-1/1998 80/81 Series & LX450 (FA9097)

cruiserteq.com

2x Front Wheel Bearing Kit - Fits 1990-1997 7X & 80 Series/LX450 - Timken - https://cruiserteq.com/front-wheel-bearing-kit-fits-1990-1997-7x-80-series-lx450-timken/
and if the bearing spun on the spindle you'll need 1 or 2 of these.

Front Axle Spindle With Bushing & Bearing - Fits 8x/450/105 Applications (FA60081OEM)

Toyota Land Cruiser Front Axle Spindle

cruiserteq.com

 

[Rusty Marlin]

While you're not doing it your self that gives you an idea of parts cost, and its a 8-10 hour job at $100/hr.

 

[White Sheep]

@landonridge If you weren't on such a short timeline, I would say ask for help from the local club. MAYBE, if you got the parts and threw in some money, someone from the club in Charlotte would help out.

NC- Olde North State Cruisers

forum.ih8mud.com

Also, we are a good group to know if you own a Toyota. Tons of experience and knowledge. All we usually ask is to be a member and participate in the group. Check us out when you get some time.

 

[SteveH]

Be sure this 'shop' has done this before on a Toyota, and won't treat your truck like a Jeep. I'm rehabbing an 80, and finding sloppy work (like using a chisel and a hammer to adjust the front wheel bearings, instead of a 54mm socket). The Cruiser Outfitters kit(s) have all the good, OEM-type parts that you (or the shop) needs. I would insist that the shop buy the parts from Cruiser Outfitters.

If you don't have time to do this, wipe off the knuckles, fill them with grease through the fill plug, check the diff oil, and get the job done on a college break later.

 

[Brindleboxer]

Concur with above statements. The job isn't overly difficult but it is really messy and if not experienced time consuming so most shops I have heard of charge what I will call a "premium".

If you want a reference and good description watch OOTRAM video on Youtube (), he explains really well and you get a feel for what it takes.

As for the quote, look it over and see what they are quoting. The hit to the stomach would be if they short the list and then after they start you get a call that this or that needs replaced adding to the cost. Note: There are wear items involved so honestly them finding some excessive wear warranting a replacement may not be out of the question but for $3k I would hope they have already accounted for those items.

 

[BarnFab]

Unless there is something real bad going on when its pulled apart I would think that is very much on the high side and thats from a SOCAL prospctive. I do drive in / Out starting at $1250 so to get to $3k it would have to be roached each side and needs a heap of parts.
Is that price all new bearings, pins etc ?

 

[Rifleman]

While you're not doing it your self that gives you an idea of parts cost, and its a 8-10 hour job at $100/hr.

I wish this weren't true, but with inflation the way it is today, i think your $100 dollar an hour labor rate may be a little on the light side,

 

[OGBeno]

Unless there is something real bad going on when its pulled apart I would think that is very much on the high side and thats from a SOCAL prospctive. I do drive in / Out starting at $1250 so to get to $3k it would have to be roached each side and needs a heap of parts.
Is that price all new bearings, pins etc ?

How are you doing this for $1250?

Including the hours of cleaning and painting needed to put everything back together?

As well as shop supplies, quality grease, gear oil?

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I wish this weren't true, but with inflation the way it is today, i think your $100 dollar an hour labor rate may be a little on the light side,

I originally had $150/hr.... made the mistake of "Googeling" it. LOL

 

[landonridge]

Unless there is something real bad going on when its pulled apart I would think that is very much on the high side and thats from a SOCAL prospctive. I do drive in / Out starting at $1250 so to get to $3k it would have to be roached each side and needs a heap of parts.
Is that price all new bearings, pins etc ?

This does include all new bearings.

 

[Hornd]

The BIRFIELD is a Right of Passage on these Trucks.

The CruiserOutfitters (Teq Store) is the way to Go for Parts.

Get Grease Locally - Valvoline Pallidium for Knuckle and Red High Pressure for Wheel Bearings - Any Decent Brand for the Differential Oil.
**Make sure you smell it - it's very Special.

I doubt the Wheel Bearings are Bad, but doing them as PM may not hurt- skip them if you want to save $$$.

Timken or Koyo Wheel Bearings are Fine. Purists will say you have to go Koyo, but they don't know that Koyo owns Timkins Needle Bearing Divison ie they the same Quality. That savings is not that much going Timkin maybe $20-30.

It is a very Messy Job but not overly difficult.

 

[BarnFab]

How are you doing this for $1250?

Including the hours of cleaning and painting needed to put everything back together?

As well as shop supplies, quality grease, gear oil?

Knuckle Rebuild Kit - $200
Rack it, Strip, Clean and Put back togeather 8hr @ $125 an hour = $1000
Shop supplies (Oil, Grease ) - $50

You want parts painted then thats fine it would cost extra as to paint I need to let them cool after washing, sand blast and then powder or spray etc

That is all that is in a swivel hub rebuild, if you want to do king pin bearings, wheel bearings etc then that goes up from there.

Your welcome to pay more if you want but as I said if stuff was damaged it costs more cause if it need more parts.

All cleaning is done in an Auto Steamer so it comes out clean and takes about 10 - 20 minutes deopending on how much love then need. ( pictures are a 60 not an 80 but just to show we are talking about same thing )

In regards to original post - Smoke int good lol

 

[OGBeno]

Ahh.

No new bearings. No new hardware (knuckle studs/hub studs/thrust washer/diff drain and fill gaskets). No disassembling the birfield to check for wear.

So it’s a knuckle reseal. Not a rebuild.

 

[BarnFab]

Ahh.

No new bearings. No new hardware (knuckle studs/hub studs/thrust washer/diff drain and fill gaskets). No disassembling the birfield to check for wear.

So it’s a knuckle reseal. Not a rebuild.

Its a knuckle rebuild not a front end rebuilt or a front end restoration or anything else you want to call it to justify $$$$. Yes on a knuckle rebuild the birfs are inspected and repacked but if they need replaceing no they are not included. Same with snubs etc if they have spun bearings then they are extra etc etc etc.

Its exactly what toyota required back when these where current models and leaked. Any half competant mechanic is gunna clean and inspect and report any issues or suggestions to a cutomer.

Its this obsession with trying to treat dailey drivers and hobby drives as full restos at every issue that is killing this hobby and making people think every issue costs thousands. A knuckle rebuild ain't hard, complicated or $3k and you don't paint anything when you do it or replace undamaged hardware as none of it is single use.

Being you have been a parts guy for many many years I am sure I am not telling you anything you don't know, I am guesing the price just doesnt line up with what you like to tell people its gunna cost them .....

Thats why places like Cruiser Outfitters sell a kit with optional bearings and call it Knuckle rebuild

... anyway I have spelt out my prices why don't you list your break down and teach me a thing or two ??

 

[Hornd]

 

[tech_dog]

Its this obsession with trying to treat daily drivers and hobby drives as full restos at every issue that is killing this hobby and making people think every issue costs thousands.

Yep, a huge range of goals, from money saving hacks and cheats just to get running, all the way to getting a new exhaust because you're going to change your oil anyway.