Posted by Vaughn on Saturday, March 01, 2003 at 10:45AM :
In Reply to: Vaughn posted by Mark Toper on Friday, February 28, 2003 at 8:58PM :
Hi Mark,
The retainer (Steering Knuckle Flange Oil Seal Retainer) as it is called is split on one side. There is a cover either at the top or bottom depending how it was assembled, that has the smaller felt to cover the split. Once you take it apart, you twist the retainer to slip over the axle housing. These retainers are tough to twist and will require some muscle to do it.
If yours is bent on the surface that mates the knuckle flange, that's fairly easy to fit. If it's the channel, a bit more difficult. If your not in a hurry watch e-bay for a NOS pair for WC 3/4 - M37, they sell for about $8 bucks.
The knuckle repair kit cork gaskets are normally dry and can break easy. You may want to soak them is some water overnight and then let them dry a day or two. Or you can keep them as originals and buy a sheet of cork material, same thickness to make new ones.
It's important that you soak your felt seals in oil prior to reassembly. 30wae is fine. The reason is lubrication and to keep water from entering the axle knuckle area.
Check also the condition of the expansion spring that goes in the bottom of the reatiner for deep rusted areas that will weaken the tension on the felt seal. Replace if to badly rusted, but they are difficult to find new.
If you use silicone as a gasket sealer, just snug the bolts a little to allow the sealer to pressure out and then wait for an hour before tightening them further. Be careful not to tighten to much or you will distort the retainer in the soft cork.
I'll keep a watch and post if I see them, every week or two they apear on e-bay. Good luck
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