Tough day yesterday, sheared knuckle driver side on tough mountain recovery

1RNGR

1RNGR

Caught the Bug
I will be replacing my aluminum knuckles with upgraded steel knuckles. Also the aluminum ball joints. Will probably also do Inner C gussets. Any other recommendations to improve my stock JTR axles? And yes, this has me looking at going to Dana60's pretty hard but I need to get my rig back on the trail sooner than an 8 week lead time as I do Good Samaritan off-road recover almost everyday here in the Reno / Tahoe area. Wondering how many others have found the weakness in the aluminum knuckles and was frustrated you could not trail weld them since they are aluminum? Anyway, enjoy the breakdown porn

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Damn, what were you doing that broke that? Steel knuckles and better ball joints are definitely a good start. Ive been eying rock jock high steer.
 
benatc1 said:
Damn, what were you doing that broke that? Steel knuckles and better ball joints are definitely a good start. Ive been eying rock jock high steer.
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What details would I need to go with the High Steer version over the regular style? Does High Steer for Rock Jock equate to "Flipped" in Reid Racing terminology? And to answer your question, In the process of getting the recovery done I had to position in off camber sketch spot, then we had to recover me. I had my winch off at about 30 degrees uphill, friend was in back pulling me straight back, we were trying to get me back onto the trail and it was too much strain on that aluminum knuckle. I was ready to trail weld a solution but realized aluminum. Friends eventually came with an offroad dolly we designed and built for this kind of thing, and I limped home. Now having hell finding a replacement knuckle that isn't 8 weeks lead time. If I have to go 8 weeks without dirt time I will either be suicidal TBH, or I will break my wife's JL if that knuckle is a swap and end up divorced.
 
Damn dog... I for one would like to see a few close up photos of the broken knuckle.

Did you try calling around the wrecking yards in Reno? I don't remember seeing any late model jeeps when I went through them but it has been a few months. I also did a craigslist search but no luck.

I've been mentally preparing to do knuckles but haven't pulled the trigger yet. From my shopping around it appears the currie and reid flip knuckles are different in that the currie also flips the tie rod too.

ETA: Currie claims all of their "Correct lync" steering components are designed to work together, their drag link looks like it has a crazy bend in it to clear something. There was a post from Jeremy @Disciple Off Road where they put some currie knuckles on maybe he has some knowledge to share on them.
 
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1RNGR said:
What details would I need to go with the High Steer version over the regular style? Does High Steer for Rock Jock equate to "Flipped" in Reid Racing terminology? And to answer your question, In the process of getting the recovery done I had to position in off camber sketch spot, then we had to recover me. I had my winch off at about 30 degrees uphill, friend was in back pulling me straight back, we were trying to get me back onto the trail and it was too much strain on that aluminum knuckle. I was ready to trail weld a solution but realized aluminum. Friends eventually came with an offroad dolly we designed and built for this kind of thing, and I limped home. Now having hell finding a replacement knuckle that isn't 8 weeks lead time. If I have to go 8 weeks without dirt time I will either be suicidal TBH, or I will break my wife's JL if that knuckle is a swap and end up divorced.
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That’s pretty wild, the rock jock gets your the steel steering knuckles, does flip your steering to a high point and replaces steering linkage. Maybe more than you need, but just what I’ve been looking at, and maybe even in stock? Idk lol
 
benatc1 said:
That’s pretty wild, the rock jock gets your the steel steering knuckles, does flip your steering to a high point and replaces steering linkage. Maybe more than you need, but just what I’ve been looking at, and maybe even in stock? Idk lol
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Rock Jock is a nice option although $1800, and I prob will go that route, they said would ship until at least 5/26 which is when their next batch arrives. The Rock Jocks are cast in Mexico by a US company that is just over the boarder from CA according to guy at Rock Jock that I spoke with today.
 
CalSgt said:
Damn dog... I for one would like to see a few close up photos of the broken knuckle.

Did you try calling around the wrecking yards in Reno? I don't remember seeing any late model jeeps when I went through them but it has been a few months. I also did a craigslist search but no luck.

I've been mentally preparing to do knuckles but haven't pulled the trigger yet. From my shopping around it appears the currie and reid flip knuckles are different in that the currie also flips the tie rod too.

ETA: Currie claims all of their "Correct lync" steering components are designed to work together, their drag link looks like it has a crazy bend in it to clear something. There was a post from Jeremy @Disciple Off Road where they put some currie knuckles on maybe he has some knowledge to share on them.
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1RNGR said:
Rock Jock is a nice option although $1800, and I prob will go that route, they said would ship until at least 5/26 which is when their next batch arrives. The Rock Jocks are cast in Mexico by a US company that is just over the boarder from CA according to guy at Rock Jock that I spoke with today.
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Still a bit of a wait, but would probably be a nice upgrade to have. That’s good info, maybe call around to distributors to see if any one has one in stock, I’m not sure if @Disciple Off Road carry’s inventory or not
 
Aluminum knuckles were such a stupid stupid decision. Having to re-torque the ball joints every few thousand miles was bad enough now it may just break. Granted, the angle you were being pulled from probably wasn’t the best idea.
 
CalSgt said:
Whoa! I was assuming you lost a ball joint and the knuckle broke because of it but that's not the case at all.

Looks like you need a set of axles too... Driveline & Gear Service on Glendale gave me a good deal on a set of Spicer CroMo front shafts with 1410 joints
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I’ve heard a lot of good things about that shop
 
The Rockjock knuckles are in stock but are part of their high steer kits the the hold up on shipping is the draglink. You should be able to order the knuckles though individually. I just got some in today that I ordered on Friday.

If I missed your call I apologize!
 
benatc1 said:
I’ve heard a lot of good things about that shop
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They've always been good to me & have earned my loyalty.

They offered to give me a dust boot from a factory driveshaft a few years ago when mine got torn while wheeling.

Last week they searched through their shop pulled a pinion seal dust shield off of a factory flange in their used parts pile, $5.

Also, I've beat the piss out of the driveshafts they made me with no issues thus far (Knock on wood)
 
CalSgt said:
They've always been good to me & have earned my loyalty.

They offered to give me a dust boot from a factory driveshaft a few years ago when mine got torn while wheeling.

Last week they searched through their shop pulled a pinion seal dust shield off of a factory flange in their used parts pile, $5.

Also, I've beat the piss out of the driveshafts they made me with no issues thus far (Knock on wood)
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My dad had them make a pair of Drive shafts too, and he’s been happy
 
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