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Steering Knuckle Seal

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by KnxTan, Dec 18, 2007.

  1. Dec 18, 2007
    KnxTan

    KnxTan New Member

    Knoxville,TN
    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2007
    Messages:
    26
    I slit the seal on a diagonal. When I fit it in, I've got about an eigth inch overlap. Should it fit exactly or am I supposed to trim it? I'd hate to screw it up. Also, why is the side facing out rubberized and the nuckle side not?
     
  2. Dec 18, 2007
    russo

    russo Hope is not a method

    Norris, Tennessee
    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2005
    Messages:
    498
    Re: Steering nuckle seal

    IIRC - the rubber seal is steel reinforced but has a gap so it can be split straight. The felt gets split on the diagonal. Mine did not over lap, but since felt really compresses I'm not sure it would make a difference.

    I think both sides of mine were rubber coated. But, its been a year so I may remember poorly.
     
  3. Dec 18, 2007
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2006
    Messages:
    1,321
    Re: Steering nuckle seal

    The split in the seal goes at the 12:00 position. See http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50497 You should not have a seal overlap. You should not need to trim more than the single split, either. Position the seal under the felt and metal retainers for best fit and snug everything evenly. The seal will distort some as it conforms to the ball surface. The felt will hang out of the retainers periphery. The split in the felts go at 3:00 & 9:00 position. If you have someone to help hold everything in place, that might make it easier. There should be an exploded diagram of this assembly somewhere around here!
     
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2007
  4. Dec 19, 2007
    Brian P

    Brian P Member

    Clarkdale Arizona
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2007
    Messages:
    650
    Re: Steering nuckle seal

    :iagree: Take your time, Its not a bad job. Some longer cap screws with the heads cut off make a good extra hand to slide everything over and hold it in place while your making sure everything is lined up and the seal ends are butted proper.
     
  5. Jun 22, 2017
    Bill67cj5

    Bill67cj5 Member

    Franklin, TN
    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2014
    Messages:
    86
    I cannot find a torque specification for bolts holding the knuckle seal felts, metal retainers in place in my manual. Does anyone know or have a recommendation? Thx
     
  6. Jun 22, 2017
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    10-15 foot pounds
     
  7. Jun 24, 2017
    Bill67cj5

    Bill67cj5 Member

    Franklin, TN
    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2014
    Messages:
    86
    Thanks jpflat2a!
     
  8. Jun 27, 2017
    TIm E

    TIm E Aggressively average

    NW Arkansas
    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2017
    Messages:
    683
    I am assuming you guys are replacing the seals without removing the knuckle since the uncut felt ring will slip over the axle "bell end" with the knuckle removed. Worthy of note even if you are doing a full rebuild as I did, remember to slip the felt over onto the axle housing before installing the knuckle, king pin shims, caps and torquing everything down. Ask me how I know...and yes, the feeling is nearly identical to soldering wires and realizing you forgot to slide the heat shrink tubing on first. Ah well, it always goes quicker the second time. Another little bit of advice, be careful with the use of the term "bell end", it means something completely different in the UK.
     
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