Knuckle Rebuild on a 1985 FJ73 at home (1 Viewer)

[tpatt]

I have a 1985 FJ73, and the knuckles are in desperate need of a rebuild. They are both very leaky and messy and the driver's side knuckle is starting to squeak. I contacted several shops asking for quotes and it looks like I could run anywhere from $1800-$3000 depending on what shop and what parts I use. My question is how hard would this be for myself and some of my buddies to do? I can get the rebuild kit from cruiser outfitters for around $150 and I would like to think my dad's garage has most of the required tools. Is this something that would be feasible for a bunch of college-aged kids to complete over a weekend? All of us are mechanically inclined having done most of the repairs and modifications on our cars ourselves. What items other than the kit would I have to buy and what is everything that this project would entail? Any insight is appreciated!

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Great help on Mud about this. Not hard. Take it a step at a time. Use Google as a search engine for Mud. “Knuckle rebuild”. There maybe some FAQs in the 40 and 60 series section which are similar steps.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Watch this

Knuckle Rebuild Video Series

Started shooting a knuckle rebuild video series today. Got the first video of the tear down done. As soon as @CRASHTH gets all the parts cleaned up I'll shoot the second video on using the knuckle centering tool. And then we'll do a third video on reassembly.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[AirheadNut]

Absolutely. Download the FSM for your vehicle: https://forum.ih8mud.com/resources/...-chassis-body-manual-from-10-84-thru-1-90.26/
Follow it and the excellent instructions that come with the kit from Cruiser Outfitters. It isn't a difficult process, just make sure to be thorough, precise and clean. Get a few rolls of paper towels, too!

 

[rick_d]

Keep the bottom shims together
Borrow a fish scale and hub nut tool.
Take whole take off mess to machine shop and have it hot tanked over lunch.
A super easy job just dirtier than homemade sin hence the machine shop trip. $3k is stupid expensive.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Absolutely Talon! And our kits come with step by step instructions. Should you run into a snag, simply swing back by the shop and we’ll have anything/everything you might need at the shop.

 

[HZJ75 FARMER]

Some kits come with the large socket (54mm?) for the hub nuts, if yours doesn't it would be handy to have one.

A pair of flag tip circlip pliers are useful too, for the circlip on the outer end of the CV joint shaft.

 

[dogfishlake]

Not a bad job, just super messy, you will love the sense of accomplishment.

If we were jeepers, we would get a rubber ducky for doing the knuckle job too!

 

[onemanarmy]

make sure have have the hub socket and good snap ring pliers

 

[dogfishlake]

Besides all of the tools for the job, it is worth noting that it is an excellent time to make it all pretty as well. You can scrub the knuckles with diesel fuel, or in a parts washer, then wipe with thinner and paint them semi gloss black. New Aisin hub bolts and rebuild kits are available from @cruiseroutfit to make your hubs look great. New hub mount studs and bolts/washers are available too for cheap. With the hubs apart you can clean up the aluminum body, paint the black outer ring, and do the gold (or red) on the dial handle. That with new bolts will look great poking out of the wheel centers. You may have already thought of that, but it's good to have your items ready.

 

[Felde]

Absolutely doable.
You need the big socket for the hub nut, a brass drift to drive out bearing races, snap ring pliers, plastic-faced hammer. Tool to remove oil seals comes in handy. Rest is normal workshop tools.
Penetrating oil, I use petroleum to rinse and clean parts, brake cleaner to degrease part for painting. Lots & more rakes.
As suggested: Good opportunity to shine-up things. So plan paint and sufficient time for paint to cure.
Assess the adjacent parts like e.g. the brake disks. Be prepared to replace wheel bearings, bronce-bushing / needle bearing and swivel bearings as needed. I suggest to also have some spare cone washers at hand. You report a squeaking sound, so assess your bierfs.
Know how to install races and oil seals. Soak everything in penetrating oil a night before.
Here is the best tutorial video I ever found on that job:

Good Luck and have fun Ralf

 

[bottombracket]

These are my absolute favorite snap ring pliers, as recommended by @AlbertoSD.

https://a.co/d/itAbHFQ

I also love Kroil. It’s my favorite penetrating oil of all time.

https://a.co/d/0yfOdBN