Help! LCA to knuckle problem

[drddan]

I'll be goin back at it in a minute. I havent given up yet, though it has crossed my mind! The last pads lasted almost 2 years with these wasted rotors.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Sounds like I just got a beyotch on my hands.....

[Zanzer]

Never surrender!!!:salute:

[drddan]

Encouraging words!

[91_festy_Gl]

Keep on it. you will accomplish! All else fails. whip out a 3" angle grinder and cut it at the inch that has came out. Then take a punch and punch that mother out!

[drddan]

The knuckle is out, and in the vise on the workbench! Yea!!!!
I went out after my break, and with a clearer head, I thought i'd try turning the wheels left or right. I am working on the R/H pass side, so I tried turning the wheels to the left, and trying to get it out like that, since that leaned the knuckle the opp way it was leaning when I was previously trying to get the stud to clear the hole. It worked! It practically fell out!.. Sheesh!

[Team Lightning]

I see you got it after I composed a pm

[Zanzer]

Sweet! It's amazing how much a little bind can hold eh? LOL

[drddan]

Bandit...its all good!

Zanzer...its all good!

Now, in theory, the other side should be easier...and quicker. LOL

BTW Zan, it was what you said about the problem child Aspire at the JY, that got me thinking about the possibility of it being in a bind, and turning the wheels might relieve the binding.
Thanks to you and everybody! It at least was relieving to to be able to discuss it here..and why this is the best car forum....ever!

[Zanzer]

Now, in theory, the other side should be easier...and quicker. LOL

Don't jinx it!! :mrgreen:

BTW Zan, it was what you said about the problem child Aspire at the JY, that got me thinking about the possibility of it being in a bind, and turning the wheels might relieve the binding.

Cool Glad I could be of some service no matter how small LOL :thumbright:

We tried that on the egg but it was a negative Ghostrider

[drddan]

See my edited post (# 23)....

.....I hope I didnt jinx it!

[WmWatt]

Right, you have to remove sideways pressure by lining up the ball joint under the steering knuckle. I mentioned it in the photos I took of replacing the front wheels. Shame it doesn't come up in a search on lower control arm.

[drddan]

Now all the machine shops around here say they cant press out the hubs without destroying the bearings. They want $40 - $50 to press them and I would have to buy bearings!
Lets add this up:
Timken bearings $14 x4 = $56 + tax
2 knuckles pressed at $40/$50($45 avg) call it $90

Thats $150!!!!!

I know members here have done this without destroying the bearings, and done it at their homes. I was hoping to save time by using a shop but these comments and prices from the shop's are ridiculous!

[Safety Guy]

Check out the 12 to 20 ton hydraulic presses at Harbor Freight and see how the money difference stacks up. It may or may not. Keep in mind you might use the press for other things, and for more knuckle jobs in the future.

If you go to HF, remember to take a 20% off coupon! I'm also not sure what other parts you may need to do knuckles/rotors with that press. I have one but have never opened it. The time is coming for me to put it together and do a mess of bearings.

Karl

[WmWatt]

Avoiding labour costs is the main reason I do my own repairs. 3-prong gear puller at Candian Tire $40 plus tax. That's the 6" puller I used. You might get away with a 3" puller. If you still have the dust covers you have to put a hole in them to get the puller on. Or borrow a puller for free on their tool loaner program. Other retailers loan tools for free too. I made a plywood jig to hold the wheel. Photos in www.photobucket.com/Festiva-frontwheel First one takes a bit of time. Second and later go quickly.

[drddan]

Whew! Both knuckles are out! Didnt get them out in time to get to the shop for pressing. I had to track down bearing seals, as the auto store said they had them, but they really didnt. Then after locating seals, I went to work on knuckle #2 and it started raining..hard! Since this is a driveway project I waited for the rain to stop.
Wow, what a difference on this side (drivers side). The bolts and everything came out like I had just put them in yesterday!
I think start to finish was like 30 minutes for the removal of #2.
Yesterday it took like 5-6 hours to remove pass side knuckle #1. I had to fight with every bolt and every rod to get it out.
Now the more enjoyable part. Working with new parts!