Replacing steering knuckle (with everything on it)
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Replacing steering knuckle (with everything on it)
Does anyone here have experience with replacing the steering knuckle on 1st gen ls400? I need to replace the hub, but am thinking that instead of going through pain of having to disassemble the whole thing on a press, if I could find a good steering knuckle with good bearings and hub, I would just replace the whole assembly. Would that be easier and faster? I would hope so, but the repair manual states that you still need to disassemble the whole thing... which doesn't make sense to me (but what do I know)
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
#2
Pretty sure you can just swap the whole steering knuckle out with good bearings and such in it already, but how could you be sure the replacement bearings arent bad either since they will likely be used?
#3
Instructor
Thread Starter
That I don't know. I might just try to buy it from a rear-ended car with low miles or something... but replacing the whole assembly sounds like a much easier job than having to pull it all apart and then press it back in. If its possible, that is. I think the repair manual says that the job of replacing the steering knuckle is the same as replacing the bearing, which doesn't quite make sense to me.
#5
yep for me i would also try and swap over the entire knuckle with hub and bearings in place. it's much easier esp if access to a press is limited. here in california we reuse complete knuckles and training arm assemblies all the time with no problems, at least for me. done a lot of 4 to 5-lug conversions even!
hardest part is separating the ball joints. do NOT use a pickle fork, but rather use a pitman or tierod end puller. you can rent them for free at autozone. i would keep all your existing ball joints though since most of the time used ball joints are no good. what's fortunate is that the lower ball joint can be removed from the knuckle by removing 2 bolts, retaining your existing lower ball joint! (steering ball joint stays with the tie rod, and so does the upper a-arm).
hardest part is separating the ball joints. do NOT use a pickle fork, but rather use a pitman or tierod end puller. you can rent them for free at autozone. i would keep all your existing ball joints though since most of the time used ball joints are no good. what's fortunate is that the lower ball joint can be removed from the knuckle by removing 2 bolts, retaining your existing lower ball joint! (steering ball joint stays with the tie rod, and so does the upper a-arm).
#6
BahHumBug
iTrader: (10)
I dislike used spindles as it's too easy to get one and 6 months later have the bearings die due to age/wear.
Did fresh bearings in mine when i needed to, don't regret it and labor wasn't too bad. Just dropped the spindles along with bearings and seals at a local shop I trust and they took care of it.
Did fresh bearings in mine when i needed to, don't regret it and labor wasn't too bad. Just dropped the spindles along with bearings and seals at a local shop I trust and they took care of it.
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
Totally forgot about this thread I started, but wanted to thank everyone for chiming in.
I haven't done the job just yet, but am thinking of just taking the car to the shop I trust and having them replace the entire knuckle AND put in the new bearings. Hopefully that won't cost me an arm and a leg...
I haven't done the job just yet, but am thinking of just taking the car to the shop I trust and having them replace the entire knuckle AND put in the new bearings. Hopefully that won't cost me an arm and a leg...
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