Steering Knuckle

[RokRuner]

The steering arm bolts came loose and stripped two of the threads out of the top of the steering knuckle. I have a high steer kit from 4x4 labs with the small bolt pattern. Other than the bolt pattern is there any difference in the knuckles? I have some extra knuckles that have coarse spline axles. Can I install the knuckle from a coarse spline axle onto my 40 with fine spline axles?

Any ideas how to keep the knuckles tight? I hate to junk the whole high steer kit. Thanks for your help.

 

[fieldsken1]

why dont you just retap it. sounds easier then replacing the whole knuckle

 

[rusty_tlc]

why dont you just retap it. sounds easier then replacing the whole knuckle

Probably not an option since the cone washers wouldn't fit a larger stud.
Maybe a helicoil or something like that would work.

If replacing the knuckle is an option I'd go that way.

 

[67azcruizr]

definitely replace the knuckle, this is not a part you want to wonder about. I haven't heard the need for red loctite with cone washers.

What size tires are you running?

How hard do you wheel your rig?

You might want to consider upgrading you knuckles if you feel this situation might repeat itself.

Then again a simple wrenching before/after each outing may work just as well for you.

 

[TLCHopII]

There have been a few threads on this over the last couple months.
Options: light use helicoil (others will have varying opinions on the validity of this statement); install a set of large bolt pattern knuckles; c/o the axle housing complete with knuckles; 4x4Labs, 5 bolt knuckle conversion kit; Trailgear "six shooter" knuckles.
Search the tech section and do a forum search for knuckle studs as a starter.
Since you already own the 4x4Labs arms, why not give them a call and see what they can do/recommend for you. They have an excellent customer service rep.

 

[mustardfj40]

I would avoid the small bolt pattern steering knuckle because studs tend to break more often. Go with larger bolt pattern knuckles and ARP studs. 6-shooter knuckles are even better choice, 4x4labs also makes steering arms for 6-shooter knuckles.

Last year on the Rubithon, I've seen 3 broken steering studs incidents, they were all related to the small bolt pattern.

 

[RokRuner]

Thanks for the comments guys. I'm running 35" MT Claws right now. I run 4&5 rated trails once a month during the summer. I called 4x4 Labs and their only suggestion was to change knuckles which means changing the steering arms as well. I'm going to replace knuckle and build a brace from the steering stop pads up to the steering arm. I'll see how long that will last. Thanks again for the comments.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Last year on the Rubithon, I've seen 3 broken steering studs incidents, they were all related to the small bolt pattern.

I've seen plenty on larger ones too, mini-trucks in particular. It's almost always due to loose nuts on the knuckle studs.

They should be checked at the beginning and end of every wheeling day, and you will likely never have a problem.

With that said, there is no downside to the 6 stud knuckles. You can either make one with the 4x4 Labs kit or buy the 6 shooters.

Just me, but even finding the 11mm helicoil for a small pattern knuckle will be a challenge. I say it's time to upgrade to the large pattern knuckles.

 

[mustardfj40]

I've seen plenty on larger ones too, mini-trucks in particular. It's almost always due to loose nuts on the knuckle studs.

.

That was why I carried a set of mini-truck spare knuckles just in case. Drilling out those broken studs on the trails is not fun at all

 

[Poser]

I haven't heard the need for red loctite with cone washers.

Then you are not reading anything worth a squirt and sure as hell are not out living it....

 

[crwlntoy]

Why dont you drill out the holes and tap them for a bigger stud ?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Why dont you drill out the holes and tap them for a bigger stud ?

Because the taper in the steering arm will no longer fit the cone washers. There is nothing good about the small pattern knuckles.

I did see where someone drilled out a large pattern knuckle for larger studs and drilled the steering arms for a much larger cone washer. It looked pretty good and worthwhile.

 

[67azcruizr]

Then you are not reading anything worth a squirt and sure as hell are not out living it....

damn, once again belittled. I'd be one of the last ones on this sight looking for some kinda group hug, but I gotta say, your subtle comments definitely show how callused you are to incorrect info that gets suggested. It's one thing to be right all the time and another thing to think you've never been wrong. I might not be out there doing it the way some people are, but I'm definitely out living it.

good luck with the knuckles, if you upgrade to the larger pattern hopefully it takes care of woes, at least temporarily

 

[orangefj45]

definetly upgrade to the larger lattern stuff. i'd opt for either the 6 bolt conversion from luke at 4x4labs or you can go to 9/16" studs and cone washers from the d44 style axles. this however will requires some machine work. i have done the swap a couple of times and they're plenty beefy.

i've also installed a set of luke's 6 bolt conversion arms and they were super stout. the rig they're on sits on 39.5 iroks with front and rear lockers,........you get the picture. so far, so good.

 

[BamaBleach]

Any ideas how to keep the knuckles tight? I hate to junk the whole high steer kit. Thanks for your help.

Before you go out on a wheeling trip make sure your steering arms are torqued to spec. Just put it on your list of things you run through before an outing.

To keep them from working loose you can also look into a 5th stud trunion bolt setup. I know Bobby Longfield has a kit for $50. (Longfield Super Axles)

What I did was put a couple of tack welds on my steering arms. I also have the 4x4labs hysteer setup.

 

[gid1972]

The steering arm bolts came loose and stripped two of the threads out of the top of the steering knuckle. I have a high steer kit from 4x4 labs with the small bolt pattern. Other than the bolt pattern is there any difference in the knuckles? I have some extra knuckles that have coarse spline axles. Can I install the knuckle from a coarse spline axle onto my 40 with fine spline axles?

Any ideas how to keep the knuckles tight? I hate to junk the whole high steer kit. Thanks for your help.

If you are interested in just straight replacements, i have a set of knuckles from a 76 axle which have the smaller pattern that i dont want/need. you would just need to pay shipping if you want them. PM me if interested.

 

[crabcreekmud]

five bolt conversion kit?

There have been a few threads on this over the last couple months.
Options: light use helicoil (others will have varying opinions on the validity of this statement); install a set of large bolt pattern knuckles; c/o the axle housing complete with knuckles; 4x4Labs, 5 bolt knuckle conversion kit; Trailgear "six shooter" knuckles.
Search the tech section and do a forum search for knuckle studs as a starter.
Since you already own the 4x4Labs arms, why not give them a call and see what they can do/recommend for you. They have an excellent customer service rep.

where do you get it? From Luke?

 

[subzali]

I've never heard of using loctite of any color on the cone washers - can someone enlighten me as to what this is all about?

Then you are not reading anything worth a squirt and sure as hell are not out living it....

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I've never heard of using loctite of any color on the cone washers - can someone enlighten me as to what this is all about?

I think he was referring to the common practice of loctiting the knuckle studs into the knuckle, not using red loctite on the cone washers.

When I set up the 6 shooters I used blue loctite after being a no locktite guy for years.

 

[crabcreekmud]

I don't think loctite is much of an answer for steering arms. I have a 78 arb lockers front and rear 4:88 gears with stock four speed pushing 38 inch gumbo monster mudders and some longfields . in five years this is the first time the small bolt pattern caused me problems.

at the time I sprung it over I bought some high steer arms using gm tie rods. I can't remember who from. I realized that I was sent the small bolt pattern. I was pretty impatient and had a buddy plug weld them and drill the right pattern so it fit.

my lack of due dilligence in checking them regularly before and after wheeling has landed me a couple of sheared studs on my drivers side. so mostly after adding the v-8 I have just been addressing things as they break. This seems like a good time to switch to the big pattern knuckles. I called the trail gear guys they told me I needed a some conversion kit to bolt on thier fancy six shooters.

So what is the conversion kit consist of and where do I find it?