Posted by Howard [144.183.31.2] on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 10:17:15 :
I spend the weekend wearing elbow high rubber gloves immersed in the parts washer...
While the Steering knuckles on the M37 came apart fairly easily (with heavy hammers, punches, chisels, three different pullers, airimpact gun and various hand tools), the majority of the time was spend cleaning the gallons of grease/oil mix inside the knuckles.
Midwest Military is sending a giant care package of seals, gaskets, bearings, bushings, tie rods ends and such, the one stop shopping with a highly knowledgable parts guy makes the job so much easier.
Thanks to the many on the list who offered technical support.
The parts should be in by the end of the week and I expect to get my bay back by the weekend. Since I need extra room to pull axles, this job is using up my main bay and I want it back.
The main wear items being replaces are two tie rod ends, bottom bearings and cones, the four driveshaft bushings and all the gaskets and seals I can get my hands on. The top bronze bushings and cones were in great shape and it appears the front axle went through depot level overhaul at some point. The pins holding the knuckles together were welded to the top half and you can see nice repair welding on the kingpin ears.
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