Need tools for knuckle rebuild... where's the best place to buy online?

[jhstatts]

Title says it all. Looking for opinions as I trust each and every one of you.

Is there a place where I can get ALL the the tools I need? Thanks.

 

[theferg]

Kurt with www.cruiseroutfitters.com will have everything you need. Tools and rebuild kits. Also, another great place to get them is www.marlincrawler.com.

Probably more places, but these are the ones that pop into my mind as being the best service and best bang for your buck.

-Ferg-

 

[jhstatts]

Thanks, Ben.

 

[Doc]

I bought my brass drifts from Harbor Freight.

What are you buying?

 

[jhstatts]

Doc... yeah, brass drifts, brass hammers, 54mm hub socket, fish scale, bearing/tie rod end puller, snap ring pliers, rubber mallet.

Some stuff I can pick up locally (mallet, pliers, etc.)... just wondering.

 

[Doc]

I picked up the 54mm socket, 3/4 to 1/2" socket adapter, and 3# brass hammer on e-bay.

I didn't buy a fish scale, didn't pull any tie rod ends apart, and brought everything else locally except the drifts.

 

[jesterb]

You will also need about 75,000 shop rags and 4 cases of beer.

 

[jhstatts]

Thanks, Doc.

Jester... I think I can cover that. Well, the beer at least.

 

[Stickboy]

buy brass bar stock at any hardware store and chamfer the end a bit. cheapest drift you'll ever buy and then you can have all sorts of custom lengths. I have several really long 1/2" ones that are great for hard to get to spaces.

you don't have to pull the TRE's if you don't want to. You can't adjust the knuckle preload but you shouldn't have to if you aren't changing shims and it was ok to begin with.

-mike

 

[jhstatts]

Thanks, Stickboy. I don't guess I will be changing shims, but I am not sure. This will be my first axle rebuild.

 

[NocalFJ60]

I just rebuilt my knuckle a few months ago. I bought a fish scale at walmart in the fishing department for $1.99. I had a very hard time getting a tie rod off the knuckle mount. The tie rod pullers I tried were useless (fork & screw type). I did this with the tie rod, drag link, and knuckle mount off of my truck. I ended up getting a propane torch at Home Depot. The ones they sell for plumbing. I heated the tie rod for like 5-10mins and then got some ice cubes and stuck them right on it and then whacked it hard with a 3lb hammer. You can use the old bearing races to hammer in the new ones. I found a local guy in TLCA to borrow the 52mm socket. If your rotors are close to being gone, I would replaced them too with new wheel studs.

I bought a whole kit with Koyo bearings and everything you need from coolcruisers in Texas. I don't know how much I will buy from them again though. I had to call like 3 times to check my order cause the email they sent out had the wrong parts.

 

[jhstatts]

Nocal...

I ordered some rotors from JT Outfitters a few weeks back. And I just ordered a front brake pad kit and wheel studs (some of mine have been breaking off flush with the rim) from CCOT yesterday. I figured I might as well change the brakes while I am at it. Thanks for the suggestions. I ordered all my supplies (kit, seals, wheel bearings, etc.) from American Toyota (C-Dan is the man).

 

[mike_az]

Nocal...

I ordered some rotors from JT Outfitters a few weeks back. And I just ordered a front brake pad kit and wheel studs (some of mine have been breaking off flush with the rim) from CCOT yesterday. I figured I might as well change the brakes while I am at it. Thanks for the suggestions. I ordered all my supplies (kit, seals, wheel bearings, etc.) from American Toyota (C-Dan is the man).

jhstatts,
Mine need to be serviced as well (they leak when frontaxle engaged) and was looking around for the parts/price. Was American Toyota priced significantly higher than aftermarket kit form (like CCOT or others) or did you buy parts separately?

thanks,

mike