Dana 35 steering knuckle

[Lignite]

Well, I'm an idiot. I ran a bit too long on shot wheel bearings, and my rotor has ground off a good chunk of my steering knuckle. Inner brake pad won't stay put any more.

So where might I find another right hand (passenger) steering knuckle, and can any d@m# fool like me take care of replacing it? How much should the knuckle cost? I haven't talked to my dealership yet, but I'm fairly sure they will gouge me (maybe I deserve it this time, grrrrrr).

I've talked myself out of the d44 knuckle swap, it looks like more than I want to tackle in my yard (its COLD), and I can't afford to start changing wheel patterns.

 

[AllanD]

Might I suggest posting about it in the WTB forum?

Or you could just ask

The junkyards here are chock full of them and they aren't too hard to get off.

Remove the brakes, pop the spindle off, pull the shaft
then you can remove the cotter pin and nut from the lower balljoint.

then remove the pinch bolt and circlip from the upper balljoint
and work the cam out of the beam

NOW disconnect the tie rod end...

To get the lower balljoint to seperate strike either side of the
"Chin" of the beam with a four pound hammer.
but keep your feet out of the way when you start wangin' on it
because when the balljont does seperate the knuckle falls off

and it'll hurt your toes.

AD

 

[Captain Ledd]

Any local salvage yard should have plenty.

Is this on the Ranger? The knuckles changed (for the better) on '95-'97's, it's a direct swap, but you'll need both (better calipers, and pins instead of those V-clip things). Otherwise any D35 knuckle from an '94 and older will fit. Just a heads up.

 

[Lignite]

Thanks gents, I apologize as I worded it poorly, I was looking more for information and options here (I'll be in the WTB soon though I expect!). I didn't realize the brake upgrade could come with this. Dang it, something else to start wrangling towards. I live about 300 miles north of BFE, and while I do have a small local junkyard with a few Rangers, very few are even 4x4's and none are d35's.

Is the newer caliper setup worth the extra effort (changing both sides out)?

 

[Captain Ledd]

Many think so.

The knuckles become non-wear items, with the V-clips the knuckles actually can wear out from the caliper banging against it every time you stop. Calipers also went from 1 piston to 2 pistons, evening out the force applied. The pin system allows the caliper to slide back and forth easier as the pad wears. I personally think they're a little easier to work on too.

I don't think there's any difference in the hoses, I got a '95 axle on my '84 Ranger that had the D28 still, bolted right up.