I am refurbing a Dana 60 front axle to swap into my '96 F250.

Overall this truck is about a 9 out of 10 condition wise, but has driven 170k miles and been exposed to the elements for 14 years. I am not trying to do a showroom restoration, just to put an axle under it that looks like it belongs, not a modification.

I pressure washed all of it and am almost ready to put it all back together. The center section is still a little greasy. I notice that the end knuckles are not painted on my original axle, and not on this one either. Should I focus on degreasing the center section and rattle can it and most of the axle tube? or just leave it as it is.

 

Personally I'd wire brush the hell outta everything except the knuckles and brush on a thinned down coat or two of POR-15's chassis black material. That stuff--when properly prepped and applied---clings like nothing else.

If you disassemble the knuckles enough they too can be cleaned and prepped to accept the same chassis black or any other POR-15 color. I've always hated knuckles, calipers etc etc aren't coated with something to slightly improve their longer term appearance. Not that anyone's looking but will still be nice NOT seeing so much rust under there!

 

I'm on board with the wire brushing, already painted the knuckles a flat black. I'll hunt some "chassis black" rattle can. Not much need for the POR treatment, at least not on the axles. Thanks!

 

My favorite rattle can paint for the "factory look" is Krylon "Rust Tough" in a semi-gloss black. Adheres to anything, flows nicely and covers great. Rust Tough® Rust Preventative Enamel - | Krylon