Are the knuckle bearing races supposed to be pressed onto the steering arms? Mine fit REALLY tight and it's making it a pain in the arse to get the everything back together. Can I sand the post where the race fits onto the steering arm so they can slide on and off? Or could that possible cause a death wobble due to them not being ungodly tight?

If so, can I also sand the part of the steering arm that fits into the knuckle?

 

NO, dont sand anything....just clean it up well...make sure you pack those trunions good.....

Set the top bearing in the race. Stick the bottom bearing on (the grease will hold it upside down in place). Put the knuckle on. When you tighten the 4 nuts on the steering arms it will pull the arm down onto the bearing. I usually tighten in a criss cross pattern. Same thing on the lower bearing cap.

The only bearings I have seen with fitment issues that required grinding were from trail gear. You are using OEM bearings right?

 

I have found some after market steering arms to be a tight fit going into the center of the knuckle bearings. I find using a fine toothed file to clean up the locating stud on the arm will help it fit in smoothly. I have torn apart some knuckles where you literally had to destroy the knuckle bearing to remove the arm, it was stuck on so tight. This would be more than a minor inconvenience on the trail if you had to tear down a kuckle for whatever reason!

Usually takes a few test fits to find out where any burrs or high spots on the stud are. Find out what is hanging it up, then lightly file that spot and re-try. You can use a felt marker or something to color the stud then see where the color is rubbed off to find the high spots. You don't want to remove much if any metal from the stud, only take down/smooth out any high spots or burrs. Note, I never had any fitment issues with the stock steering arms and factory bearings, only with the after market, crossover steering arms.

 

I'm using NSK bearings and they're really tight on the steering arm shaft. I'll give it a go when I get off work today. I busted my finger really bad with a 3lb mallet yesterday trying to get them on.

4Crawler, thanks for the info and I have to tell ya... you have an awesome site and I find myself using it for reference all the time.

 

4crawlers advice is dead on.

 

HELP! I'm installing my trailgear "rock rings" on the back of the knuckle, but I can't find the torque specifications for the 8 bolts that are used to secure it to the felt. Anybody know?

 

11 ft-lbs

 

Cripes! What don't you know about these trucks?

Thanks man!