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King Pin/knuckle Caps-bolt Or Studs?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Jonbbrew, Aug 28, 2020.

  1. Aug 28, 2020
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2015
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    D0648F7B-6DD0-4195-8303-E941BB9132C4.jpeg Hello all,

    I’ve seen some posts and videos that show more with bolts to hold down the king pin bearing caps not studs and nuts. Is there an advantage to switching them out to bolts as I assume the stud/nuts are factory?

    Pros/Con?

    Thanks!
     
    Jonbbrew, Aug 28, 2020
    #1
  2. Aug 28, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    Past discussion of this in the archives if you search.

    My personal and subjective experience/opinion is that the OEM studs were a precise diameter to give a very close fit. This is critical in axles where the knuckle's steering arm is integrated with the cap/pin, to prevent any play and dangerous loosening. Ask me how I know.

    But for jeeps where the arm is part of the knuckle casting, what do I know? :shrug:


    10-2.jpg
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2020
    PeteL, Aug 28, 2020
    #2
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  3. Aug 28, 2020
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    At first I tried installing new "heavy duty" studs purchased from Kaiser-Willys, and they didn't have the same fit as the OEM ones (which were rusted beyond repair) and worse, were made of inferior metal, so when torqued to spec the threads stripped out. Thus I went to American-made grade 8 bolts.
     
    truckee4x4, Aug 28, 2020
    #3
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  4. Aug 28, 2020
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Sep 21, 2002
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    Good bolts are better than junk studs. The solid part (non thread) of good studs is where the most strength and snug fit comes from (as PeteL mentions) and are generally the best choice.
     
    Glenn, Aug 28, 2020
    #4
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  5. Aug 28, 2020
    Jonbbrew

    Jonbbrew Member

    Paso Robles, CA
    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2015
    Messages:
    739
    Thanks all! Yeah I was thinking I would do the change out to bolts since most, on one side so far, came out on third own as I was disassembling.

    I don’t have they type with the steering arm connected. In visiting a few FLAPS, etc. the correct length of bolts is not easy to find yet. I could order them from McMaster-Carr but appears i need to by 50 at a time.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2020
    Jonbbrew, Aug 28, 2020
    #5
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