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10 bolt steering knuckle woes

andyblack

andyblack

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I've got a problem and I'm posting here becuase I need to get this resolved ASAP and this section of the forum sees the most traffic.

I had two of the studs break that hold the steering arm onto the driver's side steering knuckle on the 10 bolt front axle on my '85 pickup. I thought I had the problem solved when I found a knuckle off of an '86 Blazer and put it on the axle, only to find that the new knuckle had the hole for the tie rod reamed to accept the tie rod from the top, and my tie rod goes in from the bottom. So I had to take it off. Now I can't find a replacement knuckle. The even bigger problem is, the truck is broke down on the air force base where I work. It's been there in a parking lot on a jack stand for over a week and the security forces (Air Force MPs) are starting to leave ugly notes and stuff on it. I can't move it without a knuckle because it won't steer.

Where can I find a steering knuckle ASAP? Someone please help!!
 
um.....call me crazy, but why cant you bolt the broken knuckle back on in order to move it off the base to where you live??? you wont have steering, but tow trucks dont care.
 
What about reaming the other tie-rod to accept from the top? Would probably be cheaper to buy the correct ream than to buy another knuckle or have the MP's after you.
 
Well, I could bolt the old knuckle back on, but I've already got it off, dangit! Besides, I don't want to pay for a tow. The tow trucks like to charge more for coming on the base because it's such a hassle for them.

I can't ream out the new knuckle because it would still be too big at the top because it already has the opposite taper than what I need. I thought about that already. I think I'm going to go get the passenger side steering knuckle and top loading tie rod off the same junk Blazer that I got the driver's side off of and transplant them onto my pickup. Do you guys know if this will work?
 
I appreciate that. None of the salvage yards in my area have any four wheel drive Chevy anything. These trucks used to be the most common things on the road and now suddenly you can't get basic stuff for them anymore...oh wait, that was 15 years ago.
 
Since your knuckle is off why not just drill out the broken studs and replace the studs then put the knuckle back on. This won't cost you anything but a little time to drill the broken studs. Once you get a decent size hole drilled they should come out easily with an EZ-out extractor.
 
4X4HIGH said:
Since your knuckle is off why not just drill out the broken studs and replace the studs then put the knuckle back on. This won't cost you anything but a little time to drill the broken studs. Once you get a decent size hole drilled they should come out easily with an EZ-out extractor.
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The reason the studs probably broke in the first place was the steering arm was loose. Replace the studs and conical washers and you should be good to go.

BTW 77/78 Dana 44 knuckles and down have the taper from the top down and the newer D44/10B knuckles are from the bottom up. If you find a pass side top mount it's most likely a flat top. Hold on to that set if you plan on doing crossover steering.
 
I have learned now that flat top passenger side knuckles are a hot item.

The reason the studs broke was because one of them came loose. A couple of years ago the nut on the front stud became loose (presumably because I failed to go back and check the torque after I put on a raised steering arm) and the stud eventually broke. I drilled that one out and tapped the hole and put a new stud in with a new lock nut and torqued all the nuts back down. Well, apparently the hole the stud came out of was slightly ovalized or something because the stud evenyually just popped right out of the threads I'd cut, but it looked like it was okay. This must have put strain on the rear stud, causing it to shear. I had thought about drilling the broken stud out and enlarging the hole that the front stud vacated and putting a helicoil in the hole, but I just don't trust it to hold anymore. I think a new knuckle is my best option. I did save the old just in case though.
 
I have a set of regular not flat top knuckles pay for the shipping and they are yours. there is 2 studs missing on one where the spindle bolts on other than that they are usable.

Option 2 go get a Dana 44 knuckle off a dodge the tie rod is reamed the right way that you need and most are flat top and not to difficult to find. It will bolt on a ten bolt no problem.
 
Thanks for the offer Monser. I've got one coming in the mail right now from Kenny W., but I'll keep you in mind if I need another one.
 
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