1965 k20 Dana 44 closed knuckle question

[mattbert56]

So here's what I got. My 65 has the original 44 in the front with 4:56 gears. Yes I know that it's out dated. And yes I plan on changing it once I get more mulla. But till then I freshened it up a bit. My question is. If the bottom of the tires are closer together than the tops, does this mean my spindle is toast? Or the axle housing is bent. Or my king pins are bent? The bearingsame are fine. But maybe the shims on the kino pins aren't correct. It is only on one side. I have an old picture of the frame where u can see the slant. But any help would be awesome. I know that these are old and there aren't many left out there. Thank you.

[61K10]

did you put in new knuckle bearings (top and bottom) maybe the housing is bent?

[Mike C]

Most likely the king pin bearing is bad. No need to do one but a set. And I think you will find that a later model disc brake 44 with ball joints will cost less than those bearings...

[mattbert56]

Didn't do new bearings the old ones looked fine. I just soaked email in diesel and repacked with greese. I'm wondering if it would just be my spindle? That part seems more likely to bend of it were to hit something hard.

[Mike C]

My only experience with closed knuckle axles is with Jeep Dana 25's and 27's. And the only time I've had camber issues was with bad king pin bearings. Seems unlikely that a spindle would bend as they are pretty damn stout.

[mattbert56]

Mike c thanks for the input. I have an axle that I'm lookin at sometime this weekend others off a 71. I think. It has 3:73s but needs a bit of work. I'm hoping to just keep the axle that in here for the time being.

[BLT gmc]

The housing is super tough as are the spindles. The bearing may be in good shape, but what about the king pins. The external diameter of the kingpin could have been damaged from a previous bearing failure, and it would be easy to miss. Ask me how I know. Did the kingpin fit the inside diameter of the bearing snug? Bruce

[mattbert56]

Yea. The kingpin bearing was snug on the pin. I put the shims all back on as I found them. But I'm thinking that if I remove the shims it would allow for the bearing to seat a little better. They are tapered needle bearings after all.

[BLT gmc]

Are the races in equally good condition? I could see a PO replacing the bearings, but not the races. This could cause a clearance/shim issue. Bruce

[mattbert56]

The races looked great from what I saw. It may just need new bearings and races. ..now just to find them... finding anything for these axles is a real nightmare and a half

[special-K]

It's the axle tubes that can bend, but I've only seen them bent up, making the top lean in. I have damaged knuckles and replaced. But that was the arms that receive the tie-rod ends. The wheels smacked something hard and those arms stretched a bit. I was toed way out and you could see where they stretched. Didn't hurt the tie-rod a bit.

[BLT gmc]

The king pin bearings are readily available at NAPA. Right off the shelf. Just have to have the right partman. I did a complete rebuild on my closed knuckle with in the last year. Bruce

[mattbert56]

Think you may be able to dig up that part number?

[61K10]

Summit racing has them and cheep. if your races are good the bearings are $5.95 a piece. new races are $4.95 and are China. Better ones out there of course. part # 11590 and 11520.

[mattbert56]

65 K10 thank you so much man.

[61K10]

summit did list the same for K10 and K20 might wanna ck though.

[61K10]

Rockauto.com has timken, national at a good price also. Quad 4x4 has kits with shims for more $$. when i did mine i just reused the org shims. you are supposed to use a spring gauge to test the pre-load if done correctly.

[mattbert56]

Alright. I'll check on that soon.

[Matt's k5]

did you figure this out ? im looking to rebuild mine,.looking for tips, thanks

[mattbert56]

Originally Posted by Matt's k5

did you figure this out ? im looking to rebuild mine,.looking for tips, thanks

This threads like 2 years old bud hah. Yea. It was the bearings in the knuckles. I cracked one during I stall. They have shims that prelid the bearings, pay attention the the quantity of shims per cap. Top and bottom. I believe. Been a while. I'd recommend finding an open knuckle. Better axle. Good luck.

[Matt's k5]

well that's why I asked, you never posted your fix, I have another axle but want to keep the factory look, I can always switch it later but bearings are cheap

[mattbert56]

Napa has em on the shelf.

[61K10]

Hay Matt --- warm up there yet?

[mattbert56]

Hey buddy. It's starting to. But winter ain't giving up in Wyoming that easy. Here's our "spring" hah looking at moving the 65 out here this summer. How's life treating you out in the people's republic of California?