peterls

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?

YoshiMan

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?

peterls

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.

KA8

iTrader: (1)

Wan't too bad of a job with a press. Most likely used ones will need new bearings soon after

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

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).

PureDrifter

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.

peterls

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...