1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

RTV on knuckles?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by evanjm, Oct 4, 2006.

  1. Oct 4, 2006
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2006
    Messages:
    408
    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
     
  2. Oct 4, 2006
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Buy new seals. They drip enough even when new.
     
  3. Oct 4, 2006
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2006
    Messages:
    408
    so you don't think rtv would work? maybe even better?
     
  4. Oct 4, 2006
    181jeep

    181jeep Banned

    central valley, ca
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2004
    Messages:
    376
    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
     
  5. Oct 5, 2006
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2006
    Messages:
    408
    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
     
  6. Oct 5, 2006
    gscj5

    gscj5 H2 Recovery Team

    Kettering, Ohio
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    339
    Righhhht...;)
     
  7. Oct 5, 2006
    jayhawkclint

    jayhawkclint ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Oklahoma City, USA
    Joined:
    May 18, 2006
    Messages:
    2,622
    I think I bought a kit new for only $13 (both sides) from either Quadratec or 4wd, IIRC.
     
  8. Oct 5, 2006
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
    Messages:
    2,918
    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.
     
  9. Oct 5, 2006
    gscj5

    gscj5 H2 Recovery Team

    Kettering, Ohio
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    339
    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)
     
  10. Oct 5, 2006
    blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    Portland Tn.
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    4,348

    The smoother the better.......
     
  11. Oct 5, 2006
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    JB-Weld fils in the deeper gouges nicely, then sand/polish till it's like a baby's bottom. Very worthwhile, mine haven't leaked a drop since I re-did them. Now the lower king pin caps, well that's a different story entirely... :rofl:
     
  12. Oct 5, 2006
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
    Messages:
    2,918
    Thanks guys! That's what I was thinking too.
     
  13. Oct 5, 2006
    66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    NorthWest Indiana
    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    2,084
    I used some emery paper and wd-40 to polish mine.
     
  14. Oct 5, 2006
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    I agree, they should be as smooth as possible...... BUT, with decent felts, you'de be surprised how deep the grooves can be and still seal fairly well.....
     
  15. Oct 5, 2006
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2006
    Messages:
    408
    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...
     
  16. Oct 6, 2006
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
    Messages:
    2,918
    I'm thinking of wet-sanding them with 1000 grit wet/dry black sandpaper.
     
  17. Oct 6, 2006
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    5,349
    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.
     
  18. Oct 6, 2006
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
    Messages:
    2,918
    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.
     
  19. Oct 6, 2006
    James P. Enderwies

    James P. Enderwies Sponsor

    Lake Havasu City, AZ
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2003
    Messages:
    747
    Steve: Ditto here !:(
     
  20. Oct 6, 2006
    James P. Enderwies

    James P. Enderwies Sponsor

    Lake Havasu City, AZ
    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2003
    Messages:
    747
    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.
     
New Posts