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Knuckle Ball

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Michael Toews, Oct 28, 2020.

  1. Michael Toews

    Michael Toews New Member

    Took my front axle apart today. Found this on the surface the knuckle seal rides on. What can be done about this, is it repairable enough to seal, am I looking at a new axle housing? [​IMG]

    [​IMG]https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ua42k2x3sKSYCznW8
     
    Michael Toews, Oct 28, 2020
    #1
  2. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Sand it with some 180-240-320 Emory and put new seals on it and run it
     
    Mcruff, Oct 28, 2020
    #2
    Michael Toews and Twin2 like this.
  3. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    This.
     
    PeteL, Oct 28, 2020
    #3
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  4. Michael Toews

    Michael Toews New Member

    That's what I was hoping to hear, and my first thought. Just didn't want to get to far into it and then find out it won't seal.
     
    Michael Toews, Oct 28, 2020
    #4
  5. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Mine wasn't that bad but there was pitting. I cleaned it real good, threw some phosphoric acid on it to neutralize the rust down in the pits & smeared JB Weld over it. It was not easy to sand down after it cured but now you can't tell there was ever any pitting. :)
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer, Oct 28, 2020
    #5
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  6. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    ...didn't say it would seal. We said it was okay to run. :D
     
    PeteL, Oct 28, 2020
    #6
    Mark T., ojgrsoi, Michael Toews and 1 other person like this.
  7. Michael Toews

    Michael Toews New Member

    Sounds like a worthwhile idea! no real pressure in there and as far as I can tell it's just the seal that slides on it, so I think I'll try that too. How long has it lasted for you?
     
    Michael Toews, Oct 30, 2020
    #7
  8. Michael Toews

    Michael Toews New Member

    Ya, well, as long as it's not spewing out, I guess I'll be ok for the time being.
     
    Michael Toews, Oct 30, 2020
    #8
  9. Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    It's been on there 4 or 5 years at least, but if you keep the hubs properly lubed & use your jeep regularly they won't rust anyhow.
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Oct 30, 2020
    #9
  10. locrwln

    locrwln New Member

    Toyota straight axle guys have been doing that “fix” for years. Seems to work for them.

    Jack
     
    locrwln, Oct 31, 2020
    #10
  11. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Not an "early" guy, but I understood the "knuckle pudding" was a partial response to this. Seems like everyone with insight/experience runs some kind of grease in these axles instead of the original oil. The pudding is a grease-oil mixture or some type of low viscosity grease like the John Deere cornhead grease. Search for "knuckle pudding" and you'll find lots of info. With grease in there, the lube will (almost entirely) stay in the knuckles and not drip out.

    With grease, I would pack that top kingpin bearing well. Presume that's the component that might be starved for lube when you use some higher viscosity material.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2020
    timgr, Oct 31, 2020
    #11
  12. PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    x2.

    Although I've done okay so far just topping up the oil once a year
     
    PeteL, Oct 31, 2020
    #12
  13. Michael Toews

    Michael Toews New Member

    Knuckle Pudding? I'm getting hungry!
     
    Michael Toews, Oct 31, 2020
    #13
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