Would you guys ever buy a used 4Runner Steering Knuckle w/wheel hub bearing and assembly?

So my trucks steering knuckle has 2 bolts that were snapped off inside where the LBJ connects to the knuckle. I order a new knuckle off Amazon but it has no wheel hub, and come to find out it's quite the job pressing out or installing a new wheel hub into a knuckle. So I'm going to either try and get the snapped bolts out without destroying the threads or maybe buy this guy. This part should fit on a 4WD 1998 Tacoma yes?

 

Honestly I would try to get the bolts out first.

 

be the shits if you buy another and it has bad threads for ball joint.

 

Did you try car-part.com and check your local area for a steering knuckle? Might be cheaper. If you decide to go with that seller, make sure they offer some kind of warranty in case the hub/bearing is DOA since you can't inspect it.

As long as the part they are selling matches the part number they listed (43202-35061) then it will fit your Tacoma.



Going to touch on replacing the bearing as it isn't difficult. Sure, you need to order the parts and review but it's not rocket science. You'd need access to a 20 ton shop press. Take a look, not tough at all. I did it with zero experience, not once but twice.

https://youtu.be/H_7W78d-qB8

There is also a tool out there which might be available to rent which can do the job without a shop press! It's typically an $800 dollar tool so yeah, not really feasible to purchase for a single job lol but if you can rent it at your local shop, perhaps it would be cheaper than purchasing a shop press. My point is to show you it's not that difficult. Will it take a bit of time, sure but you get the satisfaction knowing its a new bearing and you did the work yourself.

Hub removed!
https://youtu.be/qXCf9u9KAS8?t=850

Bearing removed!
https://youtu.be/qXCf9u9KAS8?t=1082

Bearing installed!
https://youtu.be/qXCf9u9KAS8?t=1300


Bottom line, if you only care about getting back on the road as quickly as possible with the least amount of $ going out then go with your listing or car-part. Cheers.

 

There is no way I would use a used spindle without a complete rebuild in any case .

Have you checked Carpart.com?

 

One more option for you @Tristan_Benancio, reach out to @zippsub9. He’s a stand up guy and cranks out quality work. Talk to him.

 

The knuckle, yes, but the hub is for 2WD and not 4WD. This won’t work for you.

 

Yeah wouldn't be too difficult if I had the proper press, I'm not sure which shop around me would rent out a shop press though, I usually always rent out suspension and drive tools just from autozone. But it's definitely worth a check. I've done just about everything on my truck besides a new motor so I'd definitely try out replacing the bearing. But I'm gonna try to drill out the broken bolts and use the existing parts. My damn bearing did get a little seized up after sitting for so long though, I had to force it by hand to free up and now it turns but not as smooth as a new one. But would be sweet to just replace it. There's different prices for the wheel hub and bearing ranging from $150 - $300

 

Yeah man gonna try to get em out tomorrow. The wheel bearing did it get a little stiff after sitting out like it has but I was able to free it up by forcing it loose by hand.

 

Right on guys I appreciate all the help and advice. Right now I'm definitely gonna just try and use my existing spindle with the wheel hub and bearing. The bearing did get a little sized up and I had to free it by hand. Is there any way to help lube up the wheel bearing?

 

It is a sealed unit. The shields that seal the races and tapered bearings, both inner and outer, are thin metal but they will deform if you try to get anything in there.

 

Well tried getting the broken screw out and broke the damn extractor bit.... Shit sucks but I needed a new wheel bearing and hub anyways.
Where would be the best place/website to get a new wheel hub and bearing assembly?

 

You can reuse the hub. You will need the spacers and C-clip out of there. I will follow-up with a DM laying out what you need.