is this normal wear from neglect or is something else going on, and are the spindles supposed to be different? This is the first time i have had the front end apart.

 

Hmmm... I wish I could help you determine the mismatched shafts, but I'm pretty front-end illiterate myself. I don't see whats wrong with your knuckles... they don't require precision machining like bearing races do. Its just a lubricated pivot point with "wiper" seals that resist debris from entering inside during turns.

Does the Winco lighter fluid play a key role in any of this?

 

something seems very strange about the spindles. i would clean up the wheel bearings and see how they fit on those spindles. left/right are same diameter for the inner/outer bearings. this could also contribute to slop on the axle shaft which would hit the knuckle like that.

the knuckle balls are fine. if you are concerned and there are rough edges just sand it down a little with some emery cloth.

 

edit your original post and hit "enter" between each picture so they go down .. instead of to the right.

makes them easier to look at.

 

the winco lighter fluid is a pretty good degreaser, the spindle on the right with numerous ridges is on the passenger side, the machining is very different from the other one and the outer wheel bearing does not sit as far down. i dont know if its related but i am having a serious tire wear problem on this side. there was very little play on both sides with the truck on jack stand and me trying to move the wheel up and down. This is weird could it be from another year axle?

 

Im curious now too. Going to do the rebuild before big bear this christmas, would be nice to know if thats normal.

 

haha... saw the title and thought... " thats what she said"...

sorry.... couldnt resist!

 

pretty sure the front axles were different from 83 to 84-85 or something like this. cause their brakes are set up a little differently from what i understand.

but where the bearings are sitting would definately have me worried.

 

Doesn't look bad to me. Both spindles seem to have the bearings running at the same depth. Its just the middle that looks different. One looks a little beefier in the middle where the bearings don't ride anyway. Probably different years as stated above. If both bearings feel right, don't worry. Bearings from the left should fit just fine on the right and visa versa.

 

i would just worry that when that bearing is being held up by the inner race that the inner part might be "floating" around on the spindle? so i guess as long as the bearing doesn't have and slop on the spindle you should be alright.

 

lol i know what you mean...

i just got out of a physical and i feel quite the same, worn balls!