Knuckle Rebuild this Weekend

[wengejor]

Working on the knuckle rebuild this weekend. Hopefully I can get some pics going.

I'm trying to get the brake line off of the caliper but the brass head is completely stripped on both sides. It looks like the PO was trying to get it off and failed. I think I will replace it if I manage to get it off!!!

Can i just pick up some flexible brake line someplace?

 

[jemezcrusher]

Brake line is the easy part. Might have to wrench it out with a vice grip or whatever. Most supply houses will have a reasonable replacement.

The fun job is the knuckles. I did my 62 a few months back and changed the bearings, etc. Noticed the differnce before I got out of the driveway. Very messy, but fun and educational. Got the rin into the garage on day one, jacked it up, took off the wheels, calipers, etc, and started the main job the next day. Took me and a frined twelve hours to dismantle, clean, clean, clean and reassemble. Now that I know how to do it, could do in half the time. You will stress a little until you realize how simple it really is. You will more than liekly be able to use your original shims, but take the time to tinker around to see what differnces a small change will make. Have fun

 

[wengejor]

Thanks for the response. I got new bearings, shims, and the complete knuckle kit. I will have to get the big socket tomorrow to do the wheel bearing nuts.

 

[Micah]

Hey man good luck and have fun. I remember the first time I did a knuckle job, very educational and if you like to get your hands dirty then this is the job for you.

Bit of advise, go buy a few roles of cheap paper towels because you will go through them.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

Haven't done this job yet myself, but I seem to recall reading that it's not necessary to remove the brake lines from calipers. Check it out.

 

[Trapper50cal]

When I did it

Haven't done this job yet myself, but I seem to recall reading that it's not necessary to remove the brake lines from calipers. Check it out.

just loosen them a bit so they can twist without crimping the line. then remove the caliper from the knuckle housing and zip tie it to the leaf spring out of the way.

 

[wengejor]

Thanks guys, I already took it off. Nothing the vise-grips couldn't handle. I picked up a new line at the AutoZone. I also picked up a fish scale at Walmart.

I just have passenger side apart now and I decided to do some painting so I'm moving kind-of slow on this project. I have all of the bearing races now in place and will be doing the re-assembly tomorrow.

 

[wengejor]

Here are some pics of the mayhem. I went a little nutz with the paint.


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[wengejor]

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MarlinCrawler axel seal

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[Rigger]

Looks like you're having fun, guy. A nice, clean job you're doing!
Good on you!!

Are you replacing the knuckle studs? I put the new ones in with the torx heads.

 

[wengejor]

So tonight I finished up the passenger side. I was contemplating getting a caliper rebuild kit but not sure if this is really necessary. The little rubber dust covers are all hard and cracked.

 

[wengejor]

Passenger side buttoned up. I did have to replace a shim to get the bearing preload back into spec.

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Autozone brake line. I had to bend it to match the shape of the original. It was just the right length.

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I wasn't able to get started on the driver side yet. Here's what it looks like:

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[cruiserjunktion]

Passenger side buttoned up. I did have to replace a shim to get the bearing preload back into spec.

View attachment 220313

Before and after pix look great!


One question, did you scrape the paint off the arm and knuckle surface before reinstalling the shims?

It is hard to tell from photos if it is paint or shadows, by the yellow arrows.

The un-level surface, may or may not be the reason, you had to re shim.

 

[wengejor]

Possibly,...I was thinking that this over spray was on the order of like 10 microns (0.010mm) or less.

I took out approximately 0.300mm of shim and measured around ~4.5kg (~10lb) on the fish-scale. The spec is 3-6kg.

 

[PhilC64]

Thanks for the pics! I just buttoned up my passenger side and your pics helped! Since you have the calipers off upgrade to the 4Runner brake calipers. The only modification needed to do is to trim the dust shield. Follow this thread if you're interested. https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/168211-4-runner-brake-installation-under-stock-wheels.html