Dana 30 Knuckle Fixes/upgrades

xj92 · Nov 12, 2003

One of the threaded holes on my right-side knuckle is stripped. It's one of the ones that the brake caliper bolts into. I don't think you can drill and tap because the bolt has to fit through the caliper. Is there some way to fix this without replacing the knuckle? If I have to replace the knuckle, are there stronger aftermarket ones available?

RCP Phx · Nov 12, 2003

Use a Heli-coil!

cbremer · Nov 12, 2003

replace the knuckles with WJ parts, and get the added bonus of bigger brakes

BillR · Nov 12, 2003

xj92 said:
One of the threaded holes on my right-side knuckle is stripped. It's one of the ones that the brake caliper bolts into. I don't think you can drill and tap because the bolt has to fit through the caliper. Is there some way to fix this without replacing the knuckle? If I have to replace the knuckle, are there stronger aftermarket ones available?

A heli-coil works well, or I have a set of outer knuckles for sale.

EricsXJ · Nov 12, 2003

cbremer said:
replace the knuckles with WJ parts, and get the added bonus of bigger brakes

Are they a direct swap or is fabrication/modification involved? Know of any write ups?

dennisuello · Nov 12, 2003

they will bolt right up, but you'll need to get the whole brake set-up as well (discs, calipers). can you still fit 15" wheels over the WJ brakes?

Goatman · Nov 12, 2003

xj92 said:
One of the threaded holes on my right-side knuckle is stripped. It's one of the ones that the brake caliper bolts into. I don't think you can drill and tap because the bolt has to fit through the caliper. Is there some way to fix this without replacing the knuckle? If I have to replace the knuckle, are there stronger aftermarket ones available?

D30 knuckles are easy to get, just replace it.

XJJPR · Nov 12, 2003

PM me I have a cheap source for you.

mark

Erik · Nov 12, 2003

You should be able to get another knuckle for under $100, which is your best option. As a short term fix, you may be able to drill out the 13mm hole to the next larger english bolt size (5/16?). I can't remember the correct size, but the new bolt will need to fit through the caliper. I only reccomend this as a trail fix, as the new threads are just not going to be very tight, and will strip out very easily. Still, it got me home from CO to OR last summer.

Erik · Nov 12, 2003

dennisuello said:
they will bolt right up, but you'll need to get the whole brake set-up as well (discs, calipers). can you still fit 15" wheels over the WJ brakes?

Nope, not really. You'll need to grind off part of the calipers to fit 15" wheels. I would really suggest changing to 16" at the same time. Mark H did do a write up on this mod http://www.orgsmfg.com/project/WJKnuckle.htm

(Mark - hope you don't mind me posting that)

xj92 · Nov 12, 2003

I found some used ones for $40 at a yard and off of JU. If I can find a really good price on a new one I'd do that, otherwise I'll just get one from a local yard with a 30-day warranty to make sure all the threads are good this time.

Dana 30 Knuckle Fixes/upgrades

xj92

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RCP Phx

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cbremer

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BillR

Toy Jeep driver!

EricsXJ

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dennisuello

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Goatman

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XJJPR

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Erik

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Erik

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xj92

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