Brumby - Removing the Drive Axle from the Steering Knuckle

Reg Brumbys · Post by **Reg Brumbys** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:16 pm

Not sure but I think I might have gotten a bit hasty with the removal of the front drive axle from the front steering knuckle.

I needed to change the front wheel bearings and read that they have to be removed and put back using a press (can't do at home unless you have the tool?) So I thought I'd just take the knuckle off, slide the drive axle out leaving the bearings inside the knuckle to be removed and pressed back in by a mate who has the tools at his work. Got the knuckle off the drive axle by sliding it down the shaft (after disconnecting it from the shock tower and control arms) and giving the end of the axle a few hits with a rubber mallet as I did. The knuckle came off with the bearings and the spacer still inside (and looking ok) but then saw tonight in the Haynes manual that I should have taken the drive axle off at the diff, leaving the driveaxle on the knuckle on as it is pressed into the bearings and the bearings are pressed into the knuckle!!??

Gulp.

So questions are:

1. The knucle came of easy enough and doesnt look like there is any damage - but have I forced it off and mabey buggered it (the drive axle or anything else?

2. If it's ok - will I be able to get the knuckle back on (sliding the axle through the assembly with the new bearings already pressed in?)

3. How do the home mechanics do the bearing change? Do they take the whole driveaxle assembly to the mechanics or do what I did? (probably not)

Thanks guys - feeling a little nervous thinking I may have busted something.

Cheers

Reg Brumbys · Post by **Reg Brumbys** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:27 pm

Cheers Matatak,

So it should just slide back on then once the new bearings are put in?

Reg Brumbys · Post by **Reg Brumbys** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:42 pm

Thanks for your help man.

Cheers

Reggae

Suby Wan Kenobi · Post by **Suby Wan Kenobi** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:02 pm

Remember to put the bearing spacer back in between the bearings when re assembling. The original drive shaftf can sometimes be a stubborn thing when putting it all back together again too

Reg Brumbys · Post by **Reg Brumbys** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 2:39 pm

Will do - thanks.

fleaborg · Post by **fleaborg** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:10 pm

dude, i did exactly the same thing a month or two back. just disconnected everything from the knuckle, got the drive shaft out (via gentle persuasion) and took it down to the local suspension guy. he replaced the bearings in the knuckle for me. i brought it home and in she went. all seems to be good with it.

attempted the other side the next day but holy crap is that hub on good! havent replaced that side's bearings cause i havent managed to get the hub off. but im done with uni now so soon...

fleaborg.

Reg Brumbys · Post by **Reg Brumbys** » Tue Nov 13, 2007 2:37 pm

Thanks for your advise with this Lads.

Got the knuckle back last night and put it all back together and going well - not more ert ert ert and no more wobble.

The Brumbys ready for its first road trip down to Coffs (about 900K round trip) plus some beach work down at Boambee.