Knuckle shimming question on Toyota front axle

Tacoma747

Tacoma747

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Winston-Salem
Using an FJ-40 front axle with minitruck outers. Rebuilding the knuckles completely with Trail-Gear's rebuild kit. Replaced the kingpin bearings/races. Trail gear's kit comes with 4 "thick" shims and 4 "thin" shims. I would assume you should not need more than 2 of each on either side. I have not attempted to assemble the left side yet, only working on the right side.

My problem:

2 shims on top and 2 on bottom (one thick/thin on each), I can tighten the steering arm and lower cap down, one will seat fully, but I still have probably 1/16" gap before the other would seat (that is AFTER tightening down the nuts some), it seems to be putting alot of pressure on the bearings. I see on Trail-Gear's site it says the knuckle should not move till ~15lbs of pressure is applied (just now searched for that). I may could tighten the nuts down and pull the arm to the knuckle, but it just seems TIGHT before I even get that far.

Maybe I'm just being too cautious and it won't mess up the bearings, what do you all think?

1st time putting together a Yota axle if you hadn't guessed :D
 
This is exactly what I will be dealing with soon. You will need more shims. Did you keep the ones that came off when you tore it apart? If it seems tight to you it probably is. You will toast those bearings.
Another thing you will have to deal with is getting the knuckle centered to the axle shaft. I`ve got the knuckle centering tool on order. Some say just get it close but you know how picky I am. Did you go with the Marlin HD seals?
 
Tacoma747 said:
Trail-Gear's rebuild kit. :D
Click to expand...


I found your problem. Theres a reason that stuff is so cheap.

I have not seen a trail mart anything fit worth a :poop:. I know there will be people that praise them but.........china made junk!

Just keep shimming till you get it in spec. 12-15 lbs to rotate with out the felts and seals installed.
 
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