Replacement Steering Knuckle Source Opinions

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arizona78

arizona78

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Joined
Aug 21, 2003
Threads
28
Messages
98
Location
Back in Chandler, AZ
So, during the rebuild of my front axle ('78 FJ40) one of the bolt holes for the brake caliper on the driver's side knuckle stripped out. It would seem that the caliper bolt bonded to the knuckle material and when I backed it out, >90% of the thread material came with it. Suprisingly there wasn't much resistance. After running the bolt through a die it's nearly perfect. Anyhow. I'm thinking of ordering from Cruiser Outfitters or Mark's Offroad. I've had less that good luck with SOR used parts and MAF is the same price. Opinions?
 
arizona78 said:
So, during the rebuild of my front axle ('78 FJ40) one of the bolt holes for the brake caliper on the driver's side knuckle stripped out. It would seem that the caliper bolt bonded to the knuckle material and when I backed it out, >90% of the thread material came with it. Suprisingly there wasn't much resistance. After running the bolt through a die it's nearly perfect. Anyhow. I'm thinking of ordering from Cruiser Outfitters or Mark's Offroad. I've had less that good luck with SOR used parts and MAF is the same price. Opinions?
Click to expand...

I take it your running disc's up front since it's a 78'. I might have what you need in used parts laying around...I've been known to hold onto a thing or two :D. Post up a pic of what you need exactly to jog my memory and if I got it you are welcome to tear it off a donor axle for:beer:.
Oh, and I have had good luck with MAF, CDAN...

-Josh

Edit: after re reading I take it you were looking for an entire knuckle like this?
left knuckle.webp
 
Last edited:
arizona78 said:
So, during the rebuild of my front axle ('78 FJ40) one of the bolt holes for the brake caliper on the driver's side knuckle stripped out. It would seem that the caliper bolt bonded to the knuckle material and when I backed it out, >90% of the thread material came with it. Suprisingly there wasn't much resistance. After running the bolt through a die it's nearly perfect. Anyhow. I'm thinking of ordering from Cruiser Outfitters or Mark's Offroad. I've had less that good luck with SOR used parts and MAF is the same price. Opinions?
Click to expand...

I would first look into putting a heli-coil in it. If that wont work, Kurt @ Cruiser Outfitters is a great guy to work with.
 
Hmm do you know a good welder? :hhmm:
 
Josh,
What you have pictured is exactly what i'm looking for. The threads in one of the tabs for the caliper bolt are stripped clean...

Mike

I have considered the helicoil option but is that a good idea for a bolt in what I would consider a critical location??? I know what helicoils are but that's about the extent of my experience in that department...
 
I'm getting on a plane for AZ in the next hour, and will be home this afternoon. One of my projects this weekend was to clean out my shop garage anyhow, I will look and see if I have any knuckles for discs (the pic was not mine - hijacked from another thread). I know I have drum knuckes though...
I am in chandler as well, so it should be an easy hand off if I got em. Was it drivers side or passenger?

Other wise, I would do a penetrating weld as reccomneded by JWI and then drill it and tap it to OE pitch / size...
 
They are a good option as long as the tab has enough mass so that cracking, breaking of it aren't an issue. The new threads will be stronger than original. The issue is that the kit is often more $$$ than a replacement knuckle, so if you can find someone with a kit (machine shop?) that will do it for a reasonable price it's a good option.
 
Sorry, I only have the older knuckles for Drum brakes...
 
Howdy! I would think the Heli-coil might work just fine. The majority of the stress load is side load forces during braking. Not so much pulling on the threads the long way. Plus, it can be done right on the rig without pulling the knuckle all apart. John
 
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