will this hurt my cruiser?

[saint60]

okay-so it has been established that i need to rebuild my knuckles. however- i was asked to attend a boy scout camp as a leader this thurs through sat. i need to drive about 200 miles to get there. if possible i would like to take the cruiser...especially since the truck is giving me fits with the distributor. if i drive it to and from the camp is it going to screw up my birfields or anything?

 

[Jim_Phillips]

It depends how bad they are. When I stripped mine down there was no grease at all - just diff oil. They had been running Ok in 2WD with no noticable clicking or other noise.

If your wheels click when turning and you can hear the bearings squeal then don't take the cruiser. If you have just become aware of the problem because of discussion on the subject and not any syptoms with the truck then you could be OK.

 

[Doc]

Is there a service plug on the 60's knuckles? There is on my 80... if there is a service plug you can pull it out and top off the knuckle with grease, but it won't get inside the birf. It's better than nothing, but not ideal either.

 

[KLF]

As long as you leave the hubs unlocked, it won't hurt anything at all.

But if you think you'll need 4WD, then yeah, I'd pull the plugs out of the knuckles (1/2" square fitting on top of the knuckle), squirt some grease in there with a grease gun.

 

[saint60]

where is the service plug exactly?

 

[archie]

it's a square threaded screw plug on top of the that housing, that envelopes that shiny ball, that's leaking grease(or a least should be leaking grease). Good luck on the trip, I don't think you should worry about driving it as long as you add extra grease.

 

[saint60]

i can't see it. do i have to have the tire off?

 

[saint60]

nevermind i found it. looking down from the top it is about 10:00. thanks guys. my rebuild kit is on the way.

 

[Tooth Fairy]

Rebuilding really isn't too tough. Just souper messy. If you don't lock the front end in it won't matter.

You still thinking about coming to ID in sept? If yes, I would definitely do it before then.

 

[saint60]

yeah-it'll be done before then for sure.

 

[fsusteve]

I usually wear multi layers of latex gloves when I do it. Peel them off when they get too greasy. Yeah I'm a sissy boy.

 

[swank60]

I used to always shake my head when I saw a mechanic wearing latex gloves...until I bought some. That's about the second best disposable thing in my garage, next to spending the money and getting those red square shop rags...

I need to hit my knuckles with a little grease through that service thing - does it show up or is it mentioned in the FSM?

 

[fsusteve]

I used to always shake my head when I saw a mechanic wearing latex gloves...until I bought some. That's about the second best disposable thing in my garage, next to spending the money and getting those red square shop rags...

I need to hit my knuckles with a little grease through that service thing - does it show up or is it mentioned in the FSM?

Should be in the manual, I think it says like 3/4 full or sumthing, better double check.