Potential new purchase

[surfstix]

Hey guys – long time lurker, but first time poster. I’m potentially purchasing an FJ 62 and the undercarriage looks pretty great, but I’m not too sure about all this gunk in the back of the wheel. This is straight up just me being completely oblivious to what I’m looking at. Do you see any reason for concern here?

 

[OSS]

That’s fine and normal. The owner was too lazy (for 30 years) to wipe it off.
The steering knuckle cavity contains grease that’s sort of retained by seals. Even new or rebuilt steering knuckles weep a bit of grease as they should. This vehicle is also weeping a bit of gear oil too that has migrated past the inner axle oil seal (normal).
If this is the only “red flag” you’ve seen on this vehicle, it’s not a red flag.
If you purchase it, just clean it up with a rag & gloves and add more grease to the knuckle. Betcha it’s dry.
Also check the oil level in the front differential housing. (If you buy it).

Eventually you’ll want to reseal the knuckles (if you buy it) but it’s not a immediate concern.

 

[surfstix]

That’s fine and normal. The owner was too lazy (for 30 years) to wipe it off.
The steering knuckle cavity contains grease that’s sort of retained by seals. Even new or rebuilt steering knuckles weep a bit of grease as they should. This vehicle is also weeping a bit of gear oil too that has migrated past the inner axle oil seal (normal).
If this is the only “red flag” you’ve seen on this vehicle, it’s not a red flag.
If you purchase it, just clean it up with a rag & gloves and add more grease to the knuckle. Betcha it’s dry.
Also check the oil level in the front differential housing. (If you buy it).

Eventually you’ll want to reseal the knuckles (if you buy it) but it’s not a immediate concern.

Thanks a ton for taking the time to write back! That’s super helpful – I knew this was the right place to go

 

[kevin in okinawa]

What OSS said x2.

 

[CruiserTrash]

@surfstix lets see the rest of it

 

[surfstix]

@surfstix lets see the rest of it

It is mine now so stoked.

 

[Dekeman]

Looks like a good one. Now comes the fun part — learning how these things work and how to fix them yourself. Lots of people here to help with that. Fixing and maintaining one is probably even more enjoyable than driving one.

 

[kirvesmies]

@surfstix , now for the smart@$$ answer, it's automatic rustproofing. welcome to this band of reprobates

 

[CruiserTrash]

@surfstix You buy that out of DC?

 

[Godwin]

Hey guys – long time lurker, but first time poster. I’m potentially purchasing an FJ 62 and the undercarriage looks pretty great, but I’m not too sure about all this gunk in the back of the wheel. This is straight up just me being completely oblivious to what I’m looking at. Do you see any reason for concern here?

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With that much grease buildup one of the first maintenance issues I'd deal with is a full knuckle rebuild and replace the gear oil in the front diff. The gunk on the knuckles is a combination of gear oil and grease. Replacing the tie rod ends at the same time would also be a good idea, if they've been neglected like the knuckles a TRE can be worn to the point that it fails without notice.

 

[ShineTX]

It is mine now so stoked.

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Congrats! That’s a great looking Cruiser!