question for the few of you with the birf sst device

[ballardcruiser]

After a botched knuckle job (well, one side was botched), I decided to get the birfield SST tool from Toyota. I am tired of taking the axle apart and working on this thing, so I figure'd I'd do it all by the book and fix it properly once and for all. I'm still saving money over having the Toyota dealer do this job, too.

So, I'm going to use the SST this weekend and attempt a fix. Only question: according to the FSM, I'm supposed to use "red lead" on the pointer thing. Where does one get "red lead" these days? Is this something that auto parts stores carry? Could I improvise "red lead" with a color sharpie's ink or chalk or something else? Got any tips?

Jason

 

[cruiser_guy]

I just used pencil lead rubbed on the shaft. That worked for me. Basically anything that you can remove later and will take a mark is OK.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Sharpy works great...

 

[ballardcruiser]

Thanks guys! Will try the pencil lead first (since it can wipe off). Figured red lead might be a bit hard to obtain these days....

 

[60wag]

Prussian blue is the replacement for red lead. Real auto parts stores should have it.

 

[ballardcruiser]

even better on the prussian blue. will start looking for it.

congrats on the 1000 (almost) posts, 60wag.

 

[NocalFJ60]

Read lead on the pointer thing? Why do you need to use it?

 

[zebrabeefj40]

The idea behind the red lead, bluing and sharpy is that you make a mark in the red lead and not make a groove in the tool itself. Defeats the purpose of the tool to go making a bunch of grooves in it!

IMHO you should use a sharpy or Dykem machinists bluing compound over prussian blue. From my experience prussian blue doesn't dry and is prone to being smeared in the process of doing the measuring.

YRMV of course!

Nick