Posted by Vaughn on March 25, 2000 at 22:42:34:
In Reply to: steering knuckles posted by John on March 25, 2000 at 11:17:11:
If your front is "full time" and a there a good number of miles on the truck, you should consider Steve's comment. Otherwise you should at least do this:
1. Make sure all rust/dirt is cleaned off the trunnion area (felt seal slide area);
2. Divorce your tie rods and check the knuckle drag. Use a torque wrench on the upper bearing cap. You want at least 25lbs of drag, if not, remove the cap and take out/rearrange shims untill you do. You check this once the felt seal is removed.
3. The small felt seal you can reuse, they don't wear out. The large seal you can buy at an auto parts store (Federal Mogul # 5M544) for about $8.00 bucks. Soak both seals in SAE 30 before reassembly. You can make your gaskets or use silicone seal.
Good time to adjust your breaks and check your wheel bearing play.