Topic: what are signs of needing knuckle rebuild

[jmac]

This sounds dumb, but what are the signs that you need to rebuild your steering knuckles?

If I do rebuild should I stay stock or get one of those conversion gears use late model hubs on the 1st gen?  What is advantages with the late model hubs?

[MiniSimp]

I would say if you have any clicking/grinding/leaking or any unsmooth (is that a word?) movement.

[jmac [OP]]

got leaks on inside and out.  The inside looks like oil and the outside is grease.  Does the knunckle have oil in it or is just grease that looks like oil?

[PA_taco_13]

if they are leaking i would rebuild them.. just like minisimp said. ALSO  the only advantage on the hub conversion is first gen hubs are hard to come by in some areas but you see ifs hubs everywhere and they are cheap.. i don't know much but thats my 

[DTB]

got leaks on inside and out.  The inside looks like oil and the outside is grease.  Does the knunckle have oil in it or is just grease that looks like oil?

Thats what we call "Birfield Soup". You need to rebuild them

[jmac [OP]]

I've seen the rebuild kits that Marlin sells on the website.  These look pretty complete everything but grease and tools.  Should I expect to purchase anything else for the job except the rebiuld kit.  Any other parts that should be replaced while torn down like the differential output shaft seals?

[DeadlyPeace]

Thats what we call "Birfield Soup". You need to rebuild them

And looks and tastes better then split pea soup.

Usually when they start to leak or the inside looks like oil then the axle seal is bad. Or what I'm guessing you're calling a differential output shaft seals.

[MiniSimp]

Here is a before & after for ya:

[jmac [OP]]

your talking about the axle seal at the differential right not the knuckle end?

[DeadlyPeace]

Knucle end, don't believe (that I know/heard of) there is one at the diff end of a Toy axle.

[MiniSimp]

Knucle end, don't believe (that I know/heard of) there is one at the diff end of a Toy axle.

There's not, that is only on Diamond Axles.

[DeadlyPeace]

Diamond and Spidertrax axles is all I've heard about them being on.

[DeadlyPeace]

I've seen the rebuild kits that Marlin sells on the website.  These look pretty complete everything but grease and tools.  Should I expect to purchase anything else for the job except the rebiuld kit.  Any other parts that should be replaced while torn down like the differential output shaft seals?

If you get the Marlin kit you'll have all the parts needed. If you get one elsewhere then make it has or you get the axle seals. I've seen some kit that didn't come with them. Forgot MC kit did come with it. They don't mention it or shown in the pic for the kit, but might want to see if it comes with their new Heavy Duty Front Inner Axle Seal.

[DTB]

You need new inner axle seals, yes, along with a pull (or fish scale), brass punch, good torque wrench, service manual (or some good directions) and a 54 mm hub socket

[GDubb5150]

So this "Birfield Soup" is most likely what is running down the inside of both my front tires?  I thought MAYBE it was brake fluid as crappy as my brakes work. If it is the soup then do I need an entirely new knuckle service kit or can I just replace the inner seals and clean up the knuckles? Or would I need the knuckle service kit to open up, clean and regrease, and put back together the knuckles anyways?  Sorry... I'm quite the 4Xnewb but trying to learn all I can.

[DeadlyPeace]

Brake fluid normally has more of a thin glossily coat/look to it. Also you can look around to see if signs of where it might be leaking from. Have you replaced anything on your brakes? Have you tried to bleed them?

The Birf Soup you can usually see oozing from the back of the hub at the rubber wiper. You could just clean up the knuckle and replace the inner axle seal as long as your bearing and all the knuckle parts are still good.

[toyotamobing]

im having the same problem and me felts aresticking out around my knuckle and i have this "birf soup" oozing out all over my knuckles and inside of my tires...should i do the same as gdubb5150?

[lucky7]

If there leaking you usualy see the build up on the bottom knuckle studs i try to do it every year a little cash and time but good insurance .

[OOPS]

im having the same problem and me felts aresticking out around my knuckle and i have this "birf soup" oozing out all over my knuckles and inside of my tires...should i do the same as gdubb5150?

Yep!!!! Here is a link for that part of the FSM on rebuilding them. Buy the kit and replace everything. Pony up the extra cash and get the Super axle seals that Marlin also sells, well worth it.

http://www.lukemiller.org/toys/1985_toyota_4wd_front_axle_FSM.pdf

and another link:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/AxleRebuild.shtml

[GDubb5150]

Thanks OOPS.... thats exactly what I needed!