Rust on my knuckle ball...

[Kevin B.]

This is problematic, isn't it?

I'm worried if I take a flap wheel to this I'll muck up the seal tolerances. But I'm worried if I leave it, especially on the outside, that it'll tear up my wipers anyway.

 

[sixstringsteve]

I use a wire wheel on my grinder. It takes care of the rust and doesn't remove metal. If that worries you, try an sos pad by hand.

When you rebuild it, I recommend the HD wiper seals from TG, I absolutely love them (plus they replace the metal rings too). The HD rock rings, in my opinion, aren't needed. I also like the backing plate eliminators. Definitely do new HD inner seals, that's one of the most important pieces (along with quality Koyo or Timken wheel bearings) And now would be a good time to throw the TG knuckle ball gussets on too. I've seen too many axles bent at the ball.

Since the wipers are keeping grease (not oil) in the knuckle, you shouldn't have issues even if the tolerances aren't perfect. The reason old axles get leaky and nasty is because the inner axle seal is worn, and it allows gear oil from the diff to flow into the knuckle, creating a grease/oil soup that seeps out past the seal.

 

[TRD270]

I think red scotch bright pads would do the trick without removing material

 

[mesha]

I need to spend some more time with a Toyota. That all looks weird to me.

 

[Kevin B.]

Thanks guys. I took some 60 grit to it and knocked it down but not out, I'll see if I can get my wire wheel on it, I didn't even think of that.

I need to spend some more time with a Toyota. That all looks weird to me.

Come on over, I'll be at this all weekend I expect.

 

[sixstringsteve]

It'll eventually be covered in grease, so it's not a huge deal if there's still a spec or two of rust. But I don't blame you for wanting to get rid of it all.

 

[TJDukit]

I need to spend some more time with a Toyota. That all looks weird to me.

The first time you do one it's confusing, especially when you put it together wrong in the middle of the night freezing cold up on MEG but after that they aren't too bad.

 

[TJDukit]

And I wouldn't worry too much. It doesn't look like serious pitting so with a little love with the wire wheel you should be fine. Once the grease gets back in there after a good clean up you shouldn't have too much to worry about rust anymore.

 

[Cruiser]

I have many times with great success wire wheeled them down to bare steel, then coated them with Phosphoric acid to neutralize any remaining rust. a light coat of lightweight auto body filler and a hand sanding can make a perfectly smooth surface. Primer and paint with several coats and it will be good as new. Phosphoric acid can be found.. http://www.bigpaintstore.com/jas-qj...as-qjpp00717&gclid=COHVif7h3LUCFWbZQgod2xwAhg

 

[BCGPER]

Don't forget the Backwoods Poo, it's mandatory for any quality rebuild. Frankie don't lie.

 

[Kevin B.]

Ollie, I was thinking about skimming it with some JBWeld, but then I decided that that's the sort of thing I'd do if I had the axle out on my bench and a lot of time on my hands. I like the idea of gusseting the knuckles and steering stops too, but I don't like having my daily driver down, so I'll probably get another axle I can take my time with and give it the works. This one I need to get buttoned up and back on the truck, so I'm thinking I'm going to go Steve and TRDs route.

Don't forget the Backwoods Poo, it's mandatory for any quality rebuild. Frankie don't lie.

Yeah, Frankie must have gotten to the guy who owned this truck before Brandon, the knuckles were full of his special soup.

 

[sixstringsteve]

FYI, if the knuckles were runny, you need new inner axle seals. The gear oil from the diff leaks into the knuckles and leaks out the wipers. If the inner seal is replaced, the oil can't get into the knuckle in the first place.

 

[Marsh99]

FYI, if the knuckles were runny, you need new inner axle seals. The gear oil from the diff leaks into the knuckles and leaks out the wipers. If the inner seal is replaced, the oil can't get into the knuckle in the first place.

I would go marlin eco-seals.

 

[Kevin B.]

I would go marlin eco-seals.

I was looking at those. Are they as awesome as they're supposed to be?

 

[Marsh99]

I was looking at those. Are they as awesome as they're supposed to be?

I was sold by the claim and hype...

 

[Marsh99]

Anyone have issues with the eco seals if the housing isn't perfectly true?

no matter what you do you will leak with a un-true housing

 

[sixstringsteve]

I've had both and I prefer the tg HD ones over the marlin eco seal

 

[iamsparticus]

both the marlin and TG seals work well but TG ones are easily had as marlin product sometimes can be backordered but seals i have never seen out of stock. One of the most important parts of installing inner axle seals or anyseal is to grease the sealing surface as well as the seal well before install, a dry seal will fail extremely quick

 

[zukijames]

Hmm

I use a wire wheel on my grinder. It takes care of the rust and doesn't remove metal. If that worries you, try an sos pad by hand.

When you rebuild it, I recommend the HD wiper seals from TG, I absolutely love them (plus they replace the metal rings too). The HD rock rings, in my opinion, aren't needed. I also like the backing plate eliminators. Definitely do new HD inner seals, that's one of the most important pieces (along with quality Koyo or Timken wheel bearings) And now would be a good time to throw the TG knuckle ball gussets on too. I've seen too many axles bent at the ball.
.

I though the hd wipers only replace the steel ring if you have he rock rings, or fj80 axles maybe the trail gear ones are different than the long field life time wiwipers

I run marlin inner seals and longfield wipers but the trailmart stuff is probably just as good

 

[zukijames]

Anyone have issues with the eco seals if the housing isn't perfectly true?

They are supposed to be better on. UnTrue housings than the regular seals