Clarifying Questions : Wheel Bearing, Knucle, 96 upgrade...

[MOSHO92]

I'm in the process of preparing to do the 96 front brake upgrade. There have been many posts on this subject that I have searched which have provided me with a wealth of information. I do, however, still have a few areas I need some more clarification on:

- I have a 92, so I need a new knucle. I have seen the words knuckle, spindle, and hub used interchangeably in many posts. Am I correct to assume that the knucke is the spindle and is the hub?

- When I get this knuckle/spindle/hub will a wheel bearing be an integral part of it, or is it something that is kept from the old assembly.

- Are new knuckle/spindle/hubs availible from Ford or other manufactures? I suppose this is very dependant on what moving pieces are a part of the knuckle/spindle/hub, and whether they have have a tendancy to wear out.

I think that is all for now. I do all the work on my car... I just havn't come across this area yet.

Thank you in advance!

 

[Grifter]

The Knuckle/Spindle/Hub are all the same part. I believe that they are called Knuckles on FWD cars and Spindles on RWD cars.

The wheel bearing is part of the knuckles assembly. I would recommend replacing them while you have the knuckles off the car, it makes it much easier.

I had to replace my knuckle recently but I think this is a rare problem, it's considered a non-wear item. You can buy them from Ford but for a price. That's why most people get them from junkyards for less than half the price. oh_sho is parting out a '94, I'm sure you could get the knuckles from him for a great price.

 

[MOSHO92]

Thanks! I guess I can work on deciphering the way the wheel bearing presses in/works with the hub when I take it off. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't going to be stranded without a part when it comes to executing the upgrade. (Well, that and I love learning new things )

Thanks again, and everyone also please feel free to add or concur.

 

[Hack]

Assuming you are going to buy "preowned" knuckles (from a wrecking yard) I would highly recommend assembling the whole thing , and have it aligned first. Then, if everything checks out I would disassemble it and have fresh bearings pressed into the hub/knuckle.

I say this because I had new bearings pressed in, assembled everything, and had it aligned just to find that one of the knuckles/hubs was bent pretty badly, making the car almost un-alignable. The only thing that got it close was the fact that my coilovers have built in camber plates. Considering that I spent close to $200 on bearings and the machine shop installing them, I would have much rather swallowed a $60 alignment and a couple hours of my free time.

From what I am told, the bearings will be basically destroyed in the process of pressing them back out again. They may not show any damage, but the internal tolerances will be out of whack.

 

[K-Dawg]

That's possible, but the chances of a knuckle being bent are pretty low IMO. Also, if the bearings are really shot, you aren't going to be able to align the car anyway.

I got screwed because I didn't realize the knuckles I bought from the JY were non-ABS until I already had the bearings pressed in.

 

[Bizzy]

I got screwed because I didn't realize the knuckles I bought from the JY were non-ABS until I already had the bearings pressed in.

That sucks!

 

[91 SHOplus]

That sucks!

W3rd.

 

[pjtoledo]

Assuming you are going to buy "preowned" knuckles (from a wrecking yard) I would highly recommend assembling the whole thing , and have it aligned first. Then, if everything checks out I would disassemble it and have fresh bearings pressed into the hub/knuckle.

I say this because I had new bearings pressed in, assembled everything, and had it aligned just to find that one of the knuckles/hubs was bent pretty badly, making the car almost un-alignable. The only thing that got it close was the fact that my coilovers have built in camber plates. Considering that I spent close to $200 on bearings and the machine shop installing them, I would have much rather swallowed a $60 alignment and a couple hours of my free time.

From what I am told, the bearings will be basically destroyed in the process of pressing them back out again. They may not show any damage, but the internal tolerances will be out of whack.

Pay special attention to his last 2 lines,,,,that is VERY true. The good part about upgrading a 92 is that you can completely assemble the whole thing on a work bench,,,you know all the parts are there before anything is taken off the car.


Perry