Knuckle Rebuild Part Sourcing Recommendation

[togles]

I am looking at options, looking for opinions / experience from those of you who have done this job and sourced parts from various sources. I am just "planning" to do servicing to existing Birfield joints, hoping not to run into something more....I want to do the standard rebuild, ie, inner axle seal, all the bearings and races, all the gaskets, including wheel bearings and races. Essentially everything you would want to do based on all the various videos and posts I have seen.

Stealership doesnt sell a kit - Priced everything, and I dont think their bearings come with new races, the guy at the parts desk did not seem to know. Over $1300 with the 20% discount.

Trail-Gear FJ-80 Knuckle Rebuild Kits for 1990-1997 LAND CRUISER, 1996-1997 LX450 - 303749-1-KIT - Options from Summit, Cruiser Corps, etc. $199 from Summit, says it includes bearings.

Im leaning towards the Summit Trail-Gear kit for $199 for obvious reasons Does anyone have any experience with this or a yay/nay on this?

Any other kits out there that are reasonable and good quality that anyone would recommend instead?

 

[Fj80oregon]

@cruiseroutfit has whatever you could imagine replacing in stock and ships quickly. If you call and talk with Jason he will get you everything you need.

 

[Comet]

@cruiseroutfit

 

[ERG80]

Cruiser Teq | Powered by Cruiser Outfitters - https://cruiserteq.com/ By @cruiseroutfit

 

[Comet]

Cruiser Teq | Powered by Cruiser Outfitters - https://cruiserteq.com/ By @cruiseroutfit

That’s the online version. I prefer calling and asking too many inane questions before I rattle off part numbers. The guys have been exchanging my money for gold for years.

 

[togles]

Thanks everyone. I have an email out to cruiser outfitters. I think they are closed for the day

 

[Kernal]

Here's one thread with useful information:

Thread 'Front Axle Cheatsheet'

Jul 11, 2013

I compiled all the torque specs and fluid capacities involved in doing the front axle service onto a quick reference sheet for when I did my front axle. Pretty helpful not to have to search for torque specs while you're all greasy. Figured I'd share it. I did one for the rear too, though that one's way less complicated.

• DARKNESS
• Replies: 114
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

• 
• 

And another:

Thread 'Product Spotlight: Cruiser Outfitters Knuckle Rebuild Kits'

Sep 17, 2015

(FA9097KWB knuckle rebuild kit for the 90-97 8x Series)

For 25 years we've been dealing with knuckle rebuild kits and individual parts. We've rebuilt hundreds of axles and sold tens of thousands of knuckle rebuild kits and components. We feel quite confident we can lend our experience and parts supply to your Land Cruiser project.

Vendors are quick to claim "best kit" or "most complete" and while those descriptions can be as varied as the vendors themselves we are pretty darn proud of our kits and are confident you will be too. We continue to revise, refine and...

• cruiseroutfit
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Cruiser Outfitters

• 

Here's a video that is well done, easy to follow you just have to learn Australian:

 

[manofthewoods]

Here's one thread with useful information:

Thread 'Front Axle Cheatsheet'

Jul 11, 2013

I compiled all the torque specs and fluid capacities involved in doing the front axle service onto a quick reference sheet for when I did my front axle. Pretty helpful not to have to search for torque specs while you're all greasy. Figured I'd share it. I did one for the rear too, though that one's way less complicated.

• DARKNESS
• Replies: 114
• Forum: 80-Series Tech

• 
• 

And another:

Thread 'Product Spotlight: Cruiser Outfitters Knuckle Rebuild Kits'

Sep 17, 2015

(FA9097KWB knuckle rebuild kit for the 90-97 8x Series)

For 25 years we've been dealing with knuckle rebuild kits and individual parts. We've rebuilt hundreds of axles and sold tens of thousands of knuckle rebuild kits and components. We feel quite confident we can lend our experience and parts supply to your Land Cruiser project.

Vendors are quick to claim "best kit" or "most complete" and while those descriptions can be as varied as the vendors themselves we are pretty darn proud of our kits and are confident you will be too. We continue to revise, refine and...

• cruiseroutfit
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Cruiser Outfitters

• 

Here's a video that is well done, easy to follow you just have to learn Australian:

Piece of cake!
However, I'd suggest not using your finest white butler gloves for this job

 

[Pighead]

...more paper towels. No, more than that.

 

[mudgudgeon]

you just have to learn Australian:

Sounds orright ere mate!

There's a few things I'd do different, but that's a pretty straight forward, easy to follow guide.

 

[mudgudgeon]

...more paper towels. No, more than that.

View attachment 4149424

And a big sheet of cardboard to lay out under the knuckle to keep the grease and oil off the concrete . . .


Oh, looks like you skipped that


Some lighhtweight plastic shopping bags make a great mitt to cover your hand to scoop grease out of the knuckle, then turn the bag inside out to keep the grease contained. Discard it. Grab another bag for the next scoop, repeat, repeat, repeat.

I usually carry some plastic bags tucked in the pocket of my trail tool bag for this in case of a busted birf

 

[80t0ylc]

I am looking at options, looking for opinions / experience from those of you who have done this job and sourced parts from various sources. I am just "planning" to do servicing to existing Birfield joints, hoping not to run into something more....I want to do the standard rebuild, ie, inner axle seal, all the bearings and races, all the gaskets, including wheel bearings and races. Essentially everything you would want to do based on all the various videos and posts I have seen.

Stealership doesnt sell a kit - Priced everything, and I dont think their bearings come with new races, the guy at the parts desk did not seem to know. Over $1300 with the 20% discount.

Trail-Gear FJ-80 Knuckle Rebuild Kits for 1990-1997 LAND CRUISER, 1996-1997 LX450 - 303749-1-KIT - Options from Summit, Cruiser Corps, etc. $199 from Summit, says it includes bearings.

Im leaning towards the Summit Trail-Gear kit for $199 for obvious reasons Does anyone have any experience with this or a yay/nay on this?

Any other kits out there that are reasonable and good quality that anyone would recommend instead?

I like to use the trail gear knuckle wipers because they hold it in the grease better and keep your axle cleaner then the original style felt wipers. https://trail-gear.com/axles/trail-safe-fj80-knuckle-ball-wiper-seals.html I use the Cruiseroutfitters kit, but substitute in the trail gear knuckle wipers. If it’s your first time doing the knuckle rebuild on your rig, I would replace ALL the bearings, races and seals.

Sounds orright ere mate!

There's a few things I'd do different…

You have to, don’t you - with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the car!

 

[togles]

I appreciate everyones advice on this. Love this Aussies videos! Very detailed and well done as @Kernal suggested. Appreciate those cheat sheets as well. I am ready to take this on now, just need the parts and some additional tools. Going to try and tackle next weekend.

 

[Kernal]

Download a digital copy of the FSM from the Resources section if you haven't already