RTV on knuckles?

Hey I'm taking apart the front knuckles on my '57 CJ5 right now, I don't have replacement felt seals for the knuckles. Would I be able to use high-temp RTV between the backside of the knuckle and that crush plate (instead of the felt seals)? Or should I try to salvage my felts?

Thanks!
Evan

 

so you don't think rtv would work? maybe even better?

 

you need the felt to swipe the knuckle ball. RTV alone won't do much good. Reuse the old ones if you absolutaly can't get new ones but they shouldn't be difficult to get.

JB

 

Alright. Yeah, I see why they should be felt now. Thanks!

I think for the time being I'm going to reuse the old ones because I have to drive her to work tomorrow morning. I'm running all new brake lines, new shoes and hardware. Good times right?

Thanks again!
- Evan

 

Righhhht...

 

I think I bought a kit new for only $13 (both sides) from either Quadratec or 4wd, IIRC.

 

So, I'm curious...how smooth does that knuckle ball need to be? Does it need to be sanded smooth or polished or anything? Never dealt with one before.

 

Just use a razor and some shaving cream and then polish with a rag....oh, oh you were talking about your axle knuckles not your knuckle head.R) R)

 

Thanks guys! That's what I was thinking too.

 

I used some emery paper and wd-40 to polish mine.

 

what about taking a wire-wheel to polish 'em up? I'm thinking it should be ok as long as you're careful not to gouge...

 

I'm thinking of wet-sanding them with 1000 grit wet/dry black sandpaper.

 

If there not already smooth that 1000 grit ain't gonna do crap but make your elbow sore. To do that your gonna need to start with like 220 grit and work your way up to the 1000 grit.
As far as the lower king pin bearings a little copper permatex spray on the shim if you have the ones that are shimmed on the botom if not put it on the underside of the cap and then use thread sealer on the bolts when re-installing them.

 

Well, yeah, I know that. I've sanded things before. I was talking about as a final treatment. Mine are in pretty good shape, they only have 19 years of usage on them, then 30 years of indoor dry storage. They should clean up just fine.

 

Steve: Ditto here !

 

Mike: Can I remove the lower king bearing cap without taking everything else apart and spray them?? I have a can of the Permates spray. Only the drivers side leaks.