Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Has anyone had issues with their Snake Racing Hi Steer Knuckle?

Short Story Version: My axle seal leaks with the SR knuckle fitted, but does not leak when using the factory knuckle.

Long Story Version:
I have one of these knuckles on my widetrack maruti.
Since purchasing the car i've had issues with a leaking axle seal on the passenger side.
I have replaced the seal with no luck. I then had it profesionally replaced, and they had issues also. Their diagnosis was that something was bent, most likely the axle tube, causing the seal to leak.

I replaced the diff with one known to be leak free. Lo and behold - once the Snake Racing knuckle was bolted on to suit my spring over, the axle seal once again leaked.

I then removed the knuckle and whacked the standard knuckle back on and refilled the diff with oil. It has been leak free for a week.


To the eye, it appears the Snake knuckle is causing the axle/stub to sit out of alignment, allowing the seal to leak on one side. You can see that the axle does not run true through the centre of the hub when using this knuckle. Kingpin spacings have been checked by multiple individuals and given the OK.

I find it hard to believe that a cast item like this could be bent, or that it would have such an issue straight from the manufacturer.
However I can't see a solution short of forking out another grand for something that may potentially have the same issue.

Interesting - I am using the OTT stage 2 steering kit from rocky road, and mine have started to leak as well...

lump_a_charcoal wrote:Interesting - I am using the OTT stage 2 steering kit from rocky road, and mine have started to leak as well...

I run the rocky road ott kit as well no leaks but your may leak if the shimming is wrong,I had to add shimms to mine

Mate just contact them directly and talk about it to them. All too often threads are turning into bitching sessions about companies that sell 4wd parts and accessories, not just in the zook section.

Agreed,

give the seller the opportunity to help you out first. More often than not quality retailers will go out of their way to help you out (check out Superior's attitude in the general tech section in want to be a wylies thread)
If you have no joy, then go public.

Rick.

It wasn't intended as a bitch, just curious as to whether others had had any issues as I know it's a popular component to use.

Have been in contact with the supplier, waiting for further feedback to see where I go from here.

same here, the problem is in the set up, as ajsr said "play with the shims"
Peter.

I would try to set it up with the correct shims, but if that fails then contact snake and go from there.

Layto....

Where are the shims located? Is it because of the king pin?

shims are thin metal gasket type pieces that stack under the king pin, unless you look you could easily miss them

Thanks for the feedback blokes.
Still awaiting some feedback from SR. Long weekends are not the best time to be sending emails to manufacturers

The shims have been checked and adjusted by myself, and 2 seperate mechanics. Given the all clear by all parties.

Some pics are below to show how the histeer knuckle forces the axle out of alignment, in turn causing the seal to leak.
If it wasn't for the oil leaking, this is a problem that would have gone unnoticed. However it's fairly obvious when the diff leaks dry in a couple of days.

SR knuckle with axle misaligned out of centre, causing seal to leak.




This is as good as we could get the axle via shimming without causing excessive slop in the kingpin bearings. It still rubs on the stub axle at all times. Although not as severely as when the shims are adjusted incorrectly.


Standard suzuki knuckle with correctly centred axle.




Edit: Fixed photo links

I see
looks like you have a problem if your shims are good
good luck cheers andrew

Mine is exactly the same, I was hoping to fix it with a shim adjustment, and I personally would have waited for a reply from Snake racing (considering it is a long week end) before posting up the pics, after the hammering he got in the general tech forum he may just tell you to piss off.
Peter.

ps, I am not sticking up for him I have the same problem and I had hells own trouble just getting him to sell me one in the first place, let alone fix it

I'm not here to bitch, merely chasing possible answers.
The pics are to help convey my issue to others who have used this product.
Never know if it may be something that we've overlooked that someone else pics up on.

you would have to get the bottom seat of the knuckle re-machined and put more shims in the top accordingly.

joeblow wrote:you would have to get the bottom seat of the knuckle re-machined and put more shims in the top accordingly.

bingo!
someone with a vernier should be able to spot the differences in a few seconds and if its that far out you could measure it with a ruler

I knew someone would offer some solid advice
I didn't consider that the arm would need machining, Or that it was even a valid option.
I wasn't a fan of machining a steering component, however after talking to my regular machine shop they eased my concerns.

I had 3mm machined off the lower face of the knuckle and some burrwork inside to provide clearance where it had a witness mark from rubbing on the diff.

After reassembling the diff I now have plenty of adjustment available to me for shimming. I sorted the shims correctly it is now SCHMICK! no leaks and a perfectly centred axle.

Awesome result blokes. Cheers for the ideas. Big to joeblow and 1MadEngineer.

Instead of $950 for a new knuckle, the final cost was $33 for some machine work.

i think snakeracing should have replaced it for free. after all its a cast defect isnt it?

Not neccessarily. I'm not the original purchaser, so as such I can't say whether the component has had any previous issues that I am unaware of.
I was only in contact with SR to chase some possible solutions.

Regardless. The solution looks tiptop. I wouldn't own a sprungover zook on stock diffs without one of these knuckles. They're the best aftermarket solution available in my opinion.

mnemonix wrote:Not neccessarily. I'm not the original purchaser, so as such I can't say whether the component has had any previous issues that I am unaware of.
I was only in contact with SR to chase some possible solutions.

Regardless. The solution looks tiptop. I wouldn't own a sprungover zook on stock diffs without one of these knuckles. They're the best aftermarket solution available in my opinion.

Good that you have it fixed - I am wondering if my new king pins are too long now...

droopypete wrote:Mine is exactly the same, I was hoping to fix it with a shim adjustment, and I personally would have waited for a reply from Snake racing (considering it is a long week end) before posting up the pics, after the hammering he got in the general tech forum he may just tell you to piss off.
Peter.

ps, I am not sticking up for him I have the same problem and I had hells own trouble just getting him to sell me one in the first place, let alone fix it

looks like a fault that hasnt been picked up or has never been looked at properly to be repaird. if i was payin that sort of coin i would want it right to start with.

You are "bang on" bazooked, where do I send your cupie doll
Peter.

mnemonix wrote:I knew someone would offer some solid advice
I didn't consider that the arm would need machining, Or that it was even a valid option.
I wasn't a fan of machining a steering component, however after talking to my regular machine shop they eased my concerns.

I had 3mm machined off the lower face of the knuckle and some burrwork inside to provide clearance where it had a witness mark from rubbing on the diff.

After reassembling the diff I now have plenty of adjustment available to me for shimming. I sorted the shims correctly it is now SCHMICK! no leaks and a perfectly centred axle.

Awesome result blokes. Cheers for the ideas. Big to joeblow and 1MadEngineer.

Instead of $950 for a new knuckle, the final cost was $33 for some machine work.

Great result, good work.
A question, did snake racing ever get back to you? and if so what was the response?
Peter.

can't complain about 33 bucks!...good result.

droopypete wrote:You are "bang on" bazooked, where do I send your cupie doll
Peter.

AARGH! I just had a flash back to "Summer of the 17th friggin doll"... GOd I hate that book/play...

droopypete wrote:A question, did snake racing ever get back to you? and if so what was the response?
Peter.

Never heard a peep from them. Thankfully their input wasn't required.

-Mark.

Can we add this to the bible as future reference to people looking to by a high steer kit?

droopypete wrote:You are "bang on" bazooked, where do I send your cupie doll
Peter.

haha i will pm you my addy if ya want , do i get a choice?

GRPABT1 wrote:Can we add this to the bible as future reference to people looking to by a high steer kit?

Done

Layto....