1999 ranger 4x4 steering knuckle problems

[jmeecer]

Hi all first time posting.
I am in the middle of swapping the vacuum hubs for live axles. Thought it was a bolt in swap from what I have read.
Got hubs and cv axles new for a 1999 explorer.

Problem 1) Did drivers side first, when I was putting in the new axle I noticed that the seal that come on the new cv axle did not fit in the hole on the back side of the knuckle. So I left it off the axle. I did leave the original seal that was already in the knuckle in there. But the cv axle does not seem to seal as tight as before.

Question 1) In all of the post I have read on doing this swap, nobody mentioned this issue or what to do? Was I support to leave the old seal in the knuckle? The new seal was too small and would not fit, go thing I checked before removing the old first.

Problem 2) Pass side now. Back story, truck was wrecked and fixed before we bought it. Most of pass side suspension was replaced. The knuckle was replaced too has "RF" in yellow paint from junkyard. This knuckle has two stripped bolts holding the hub on. I had to take knuckle and axle out as one piece. Might have to get a different knuckle if I cannot get the bolts out.

Question 2) Since I am already doing a live axle swap, can I just go buy used steering knuckles off a 2001 ranger 4x4 that came factory with live hubs (NON PVH). If they are interchangeable that would solve both problems.

Problem 3) busted the upper and lower ball joint boots and the tierod end boot trying to get the pass knuckle off. Stuck caliper heated everything up, warped rotor too. Getting mad now, have to buy more parts.

Any suggestion for problems listed.
Thanks for the help.

 

[adsm08]

If you already have the knuckle off the side with stripped bolts there are better ways to deal with that. I'd start by hammering a 9/16 socket on the bolts.

 

[pjtoledo]

where are you?
also, IF you have 16" wheels now would be a good time to upgrade to 12" front brakes using 2004 knuckles.
if you have 15" wheels, they will not fit over the bigger brakes.

 

[jmeecer]

Tried hammering a 9/16 socket on and first turn of the ratchet cracked the socket. That did not work. Might have to grind the head of the bolts off.

I am located in West Virginia. I have 15 inch wheels.

Anybody know the Ford part number for the bolts that attach the 4x4 hub to the steering knuckle? Looked on-line and cannot find anything.

 

[Andy D]

Tried hammering a 9/16 socket on and first turn of the ratchet cracked the socket. That did not work. Might have to grind the head of the bolts off.

I am located in West Virginia. I have 15 inch wheels.

Anybody know the Ford part number for the bolts that attach the 4x4 hub to the steering knuckle? Looked on-line and cannot find anything.

I bet it was a 12 point 9/16 socket. Yrs ago, I paid 10$ for a set of Chinese impact socket. They worked so well , I went back and got a set of metrics. I don't have an impact gun, but I have lotsa hammers

 

[SenorNoob]

I agree on the cheap "impact" sockets. At least the wall is thick enough to not break. Usually.

 

[jmeecer]

Thanks for the comments guys, but so far nobody has given me any answers to my original questions. Not not mean to be harsh, just trying to get my truck fixed.