Bending or Breaking a Steering Knuckle

[Biggest]

Not the spindle gussets, right?

Oh boy, " INCOMING" where is Pirate Air!

 

[A.I.I.Raciing]

Great write up, and yes knuckle is the correct name,
but calling an upright/spindle a knuckle reminds me of a redneck driving a straight axel mud bogger on 44's

 

[Mjolnir]

Slow the **** down.

LOL!

If I didn't break something I wasn't going fast enough

Bird thx for the tip in checking. Going out to do it now


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---------- Post added at 02:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:39 PM ----------

Okay I went out and took a good look at mine. I beat the hell out of my truck out there, probably could've gone a bit faster, but wouldn't have been a big difference. Got some great air, and that one stupid whoop out there that was uphill on a turn got me in the air at full lock every time

So, I measured and both RPG UCA's are 1.2 inches from the tire when the wheel is straight, so unless I bent them evenly, they are okay. The knuckle at the mount is rubbing on the UCA a bit so it needs to be shaved more, and the steering stop on the hub is hitting above the nipple on the LCA.

So far so good, just need a new front bumper (ordered last week)


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[BIRDMAN]

If I didn't break something I wasn't going fast enough

Bird thx for the tip in checking. Going out to do it now


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---------- Post added at 02:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:39 PM ----------

Okay I went out and took a good look at mine. I beat the hell out of my truck out there, probably could've gone a bit faster, but wouldn't have been a big difference. Got some great air, and that one stupid whoop out there that was uphill on a turn got me in the air at full lock every time

So, I measured and both RPG UCA's are 1.2 inches from the tire when the wheel is straight, so unless I bent them evenly, they are okay. The knuckle at the mount is rubbing on the UCA a bit so it needs to be shaved more, and the steering stop on the hub is hitting above the nipple on the LCA.

So far so good, just need a new front bumper (ordered last week)


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Ok, well that's good. It's a start. The top of the knuckle can bend back or twist as well, but if you're alignment is OK then you might be fine. Hard off-roading doesn't guarantee you will bend your knuckle but it's not that hard to do.

When you say the UCA is hitting the top of the knuckle, what do you mean? You mean at full droop the front edge of the UCA actually contacts the top of the knuckle? Also, your steering stops are on the knuckle, not the hub. Yet another function of the knuckles.

 

[Mjolnir]

Ok, well that's good. It's a start. The top of the knuckle can bend back or twist as well, but if you're alignment is OK then you might be fine. Hard off-roading doesn't guarantee you will bend your knuckle but it's not that hard to do.

When you say the UCA is hitting the top of the knuckle, what do you mean? You mean at full droop the front edge of the UCA actually contacts the top of the knuckle? Also, your steering stops are on the knuckle, not the hub. Yet another function of the knuckles.

On the new UCA the front top of the knuckle has to be shaved down they don't rub per RPG

I meant knuckle not hub. But I have some work to do on the steering stops too


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[Phyguy]

On the new UCA the front top of the knuckle has to be shaved down they don't rub per RPG

I meant knuckle not hub. But I have some work to do on the steering stops too


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Yeah I've been checking those area on my knuckle after my 1.0" install.

 

[TheJoker]

Another excellent write up Birdman. As far as the weld on option, is this something that can be done with the knuckle on the truck? Is there a core fee with the complete set up?

Frankly, I'm having a hard time deciding what to upgrade 1st. I'm not made of money. If I want new wheels and tires, I may need to get new knuckles, Coil overs, UCA's, LCA's, leafs, shocks, tie rods, glass to cover it all, bump stops, frame supports, etc. etc. etc....

 

[MotuMute]

Nice write up Bird. Here's what a pair of bent knuckles makes your alignment look like (last weekend at TRRR)




Driver's side tire was just a few millimeters from rubbing on the UCA. Was able to drive it home, but destroyed both front tires.





Definitely time for the upgrade.

 

[BIRDMAN]

Another excellent write up Birdman. As far as the weld on option, is this something that can be done with the knuckle on the truck? Is there a core fee with the complete set up?

Frankly, I'm having a hard time deciding what to upgrade 1st. I'm not made of money. If I want new wheels and tires, I may need to get new knuckles, Coil overs, UCA's, LCA's, leafs, shocks, tie rods, glass to cover it all, bump stops, frame supports, etc. etc. etc....

The knuckles definitely need to come off. From what I understand there is a heating and post cooling process that needs to occur while welding to cast steel. Besides that you wouldn't physically be able to weld these on with the knuckles on the truck.

I'm 4+ hours deep on my install write up now. Uploading pics and editing. Should be up soon so you can see the deal.

 

[pirate air]

You guys are funny..

I would agree there are probably more than several raptor owners driving their trucks around with bent knuckles and don't even know it. The slew of aftermarket suspension parts don't do the knuckles any favors. The UCA and LCA that remove the rubber bushings are also harder on the knuckles because you've taken that give that the rubber provided away.
I wasn't going to put my method wheels on before I did gussets, which I did wait. In reality I probably should of done gussets before shocks. SDHQ has a pretty trick set up with the double shear tie rod end design. A fabricated or forged replacement would be a nice option.