Steering Knuckle replacement

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crazyhorse
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Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

Hi gang,

Sorry for the lenghty post and if you make it too the end... thanks.

Well after 2 forum discussions

http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=161984" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and

http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=162090" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have come to the conclution that I need a new (well second hand) steering knuckle with good lower ball joint. Managed to reserve one off a member here and just waiting for pay day.

Anyway in prep for this, I thought I would ask you guys to offer any potential pitfalls in tackling this job. I have the Haynes and have read up the procedure and know it off by heart. Please feel free to correct this if somethig is amiss.

1. Remove passenger tyre, support van of course.
2. Undo Caliper bolts and tie up out of the way.
3. Undo and remove nut to upper ball joint.
4. Move split pin on tie rod ball joint. Release ballpoint tapperd shank. Do in need a special tool to do this?? as Haynes says I need a universal ball joint separator.
4. Remove 3 bolts securing the lower ball joint adaptor to track control arm.
5. Undo 2 bolts securing upper ball joint to wishbone. Mine has bolts rather than allen key heads as seen on other vans. Should I swap these??
6. Lift up wishbone and remove knuckle.

Swap over parts to new knuckle, do hub again with another new bearing set.. just in case. Fit steering knuckle and hub on. Torque up as per Haynes. Lie down and have a beer.. or come back here and cry.

As the new steering knuckle has a lower balljoint in good condition as told by seller, I dont need to faff with a press and the like as reading about this has made me panic.. Should I buy a new upper ball joint, or just check to see if it OK, any splits etc

Haynes states a need a new split pin and 3 spring washers for lower ball joint adaptor. Cant find these?? any ideas where to get them??

Does this sound right?? Also.. while Im there should I look to do anything else. I was going to change wishbone bushes as the creaking it horrendous but might leave that for a bit and get the expensive poly ones.

Thanks for reading
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multisi
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by multisi »

There isn't a ball joint adapter on later style front steering, the diagram on page 9.3 shows the set up. Other diagrams show the early style just to confuse things !
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crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

cool.

Any other tips?? Or a straight forward replacement
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crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

Right getting the courage to do this...

Got my new (well new to me) steering knuckle... Has lower balljoint pressed in ready from PO. Looks good.

About to do this Monday...

Not too worried :lol: about top of knuckle, but am slightly concerned about the bottom, with tie rod and lower balljoint.

Do I need to buy a ball joint seperator??

Is there a DIY way to press out tie rod from kuckle, and then refit??
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adie89
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by adie89 »

Generally a good whack with a lump hammer on the knuckle will shock the taper to separate. If you wind the old nut off to protect the threads on the tie rod you can reasonably gently tap it out, but you must replace the nut after. Same with bottom ball joint, I had to take the whole lot off and give a really good crack to separate, but I was renewing the joint anyway.

Bolts on the upper ball joint aren't an issue if theyre the same tensile strength, I think they were fitted for access with thicker sockets was impossible. I have used bolts because I got fed up of rounding out Allen heads on stuck fasteners.
Copper slip your threads and ball joints, you'll be glad you did when it has to come apart again at some point for yet another job.
Take the rubber boots off your ball joints and check they have loads of grease in them, some new ones I've seen on other's threads and my own had next to sod all in.
Greta: 85’ LHD 2.5L Subaru 14in Syncro
http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=165773

crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

:ok

Thanks loads for this.

Quick question, what size nut is the tie rod??

Can I get there pretty much anywhere, dont fancy doing another web order
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crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

Right then this is going oK, till....

I cant remove the lower ball joint from the track control arm...

Nut is undone. O ring underneath done. Any suggestions??
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slowcoach
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by slowcoach »

The ball joint from the knuckle?

Some heat from a blow torch and a good few smacks with a lump hammer on the underneath flat on the ball joint should work. I used one of those earasol burner things. Just keep whacking it !
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crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

Its off.

Whack did it.

Winter light stops play. To be continued tomorrow
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crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

New knuckle on.

Haynes makes it sound easy.... It wasnt.

No pictures.. sorry. My hands are coverd in crap, and the phone is broken

Had to jack lower ball joint as it kept turning in knuckle, same for upper, had to press down.

2 questions.
Tie rod ball joint.. I need a split pin.. Will any size do as long its in there?
Brake disk is a bit bogging, what can I do to clean it??
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Titus A Duxass
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by Titus A Duxass »

You'll find the split pin size on here -https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/typ+ ... 2/1989-78/

Use aerosol brake cleaner to clean the disc.
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crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

Titus A Duxass wrote:You'll find the split pin size on here -https://volkswagen.7zap.com/en/rdw/typ+ ... 2/1989-78/

Use aerosol brake cleaner to clean the disc.


Wish I knew about that parts site before. Amazing resource.

Diolch
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crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

Work complete.

Test drive done. Wheel stayed on :D

Now then... went to give the bushes a going over with some silicon grease.

Drivers side shock, the plastic protective pipe has come off, looks fubar.

Is this something that needs to be done ASAP or can it wait a bit?
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adie89
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by adie89 »

crazyhorse wrote:Work complete.

Test drive done. Wheel stayed on :D

Now then... went to give the bushes a going over with some silicon grease.

Drivers side shock, the plastic protective pipe has come off, looks fubar.

Is this something that needs to be done ASAP or can it wait a bit?

If it isn't weeping oil,or bouncing more than 2-3 times when you bounce the front, then you have time to wait
Greta: 85’ LHD 2.5L Subaru 14in Syncro
http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=165773

crazyhorse
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Re: Steering Knuckle replacement

Post by crazyhorse »

adie89 wrote:
crazyhorse wrote:Work complete.

Test drive done. Wheel stayed on :D

Now then... went to give the bushes a going over with some silicon grease.

Drivers side shock, the plastic protective pipe has come off, looks fubar.

Is this something that needs to be done ASAP or can it wait a bit?

If it isn't weeping oil,or bouncing more than 2-3 times when you bounce the front, then you have time to wait

No oil, no bouncing.

Will save for Brickwerks lift kit and replace.

Thanks
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