80 series steering knuckle stud problems

[Pesky Pete]

Having troubles with my steering knuckles studs ( the 4 on the underside that hold the arm on). Has anyone done any sort of an upgrade on them???

[RV80]

What sort of problems? Coming loose or snapping off etc..

[Pesky Pete]

Yeah coming loose and snapping off. Tried all sorts to keep them tight but it seems that when wheeling hard the time between working loose and snapping isnt much. Yesterday at Cruiser Park, I checked the studs at the campsite after driving there and all was well. Drove down to claw gorge area then on to the top end of camp road where Two studs had dropped out, and two snapped. Lucky I found the two that fell out (were within 100 feet of where the two remaining ones snapped)

The threads in the housing are a bit sus and I have just bought a new housing, which will fix the problem at least for now, but I was hoping to find someone who had done something to address the problem.

I am considering putting two 10 mm dowels in the bottom of the knuckle.

[crankycruiser]

I'm guessing u have a bit of a lift under the 80???

The problem is the steering arm from the steering box is on a fair angle and it forces that bottom arm downwards when the suspension cycles upwards, this also helps twist the main shaft in the steering box too...

I was havin the same probs with mine so i put a high steer arm on and it has fixed the problem...

Bit of fiddling about tho as u have to move the panhard rod to keep it in line with the steering rod..

Heres the link to how i fixed mine http://www.4wdmonthly.com.au/forum/inde ... eadid=9110

[dumbdunce]

it is highly likely that you have incorrect preload on the kingpin bearing - too much preload (problem #1) (not enough shim) will result fairly quickly in premature bearing failure, leading to (problem #2) not enough preload, this allows the load to cycle excessively on those studs, and they either unwind or stretch slightly, allowing them to unwind, especially on lifted trucks or with big tyres.

when you fit you new knuckle housing you will need to replace the kingpin bearings and set the preload carefully. dowels will probably only mask the problem, it is probably NOT the steering loads that work the bolts loose, far more likely that cyclic tensile loads on those bolts work them a little bit loose, then once they are slightly sloppy, steering loads bend them and finish them off.

[Pesky Pete]

Thanks Brian. I'll check it out when I put it back together. Is it a fairly simple thing to set up, or should I take it to someone to set up right???

[dumbdunce]

Thanks Brian. I'll check it out when I put it back together. Is it a fairly simple thing to set up, or should I take it to someone to set up right???

pretty sure the gregories manual has the procedure - might need a spring scale or low range torque wrench to do it "right" but essentially when you are looking for is a preload where there is almost no resistance to turning, and no slop in the bearing. (obviously tierod and draglink removed, no wiper seals)

it's not difficult.