7° Reamer for knuckles
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 71
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From: State of Jefferson
7° Reamer for knuckles
Hey guys, I'm looking to swap my steering linkage to '78/'79 T Style and understand the knuckles need to be reamed out to accept the thicker ends. It seems kind of silly to purchase the reamer for just this one use. I know I wouldn't be the first. If one of you have the reamer for when you made the swap, would you consider shipping it to me at a "Used" cost and then I will use it and then I will send it off to the next person looking to do the swap here in the future. This seems like a cool way to pay it forward in a sense and help this forum help more. If no one has one then I'll buy one outright and get the ball rolling. Let me know if one of you'd be interested. 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
1. Turn the reamer slow and steady with even pressure.
2. Turn only in one direction.
3. Use a penetrant (or ATF) to keep it lubed.
4. Determine how much "stick out" is needed for the 78/79 tie rods before reaming the steering arms. Don't wanna go too deep with the reamer, right?
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: State of Jefferson
Thanks Hio Silver! I see a lot of these reamers have T handles. Are you doing this by hand or with a 1/2 Drill? I also saw where a while back you had a Reamer and offered to send it off to someone with a deposit. Any chance you still have it around? No pressure, I'm just trying to get this done.
If it's not available, where have you found them for a good price/quality?
If it's not available, where have you found them for a good price/quality?
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,148
Likes: 5,783
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Have you checked you local auto part stores to see if they rent tools? Have you asked any local machine shops to see if they would rent it?
Have you asked any in state FTE chapter members to see if they have one to loan. Careful using a 1/2 drive drill, if it catches great way to bust a knuckle or worse.
Have you asked any in state FTE chapter members to see if they have one to loan. Careful using a 1/2 drive drill, if it catches great way to bust a knuckle or worse.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: State of Jefferson
I'm on a wild goose chase now through fella at a local parts house who knows a guy who may know something 
Nothing seems to be going easy with this rig so far. She'll eventual get all straightened out but I have a strong feeling it's going to be a long road.
Nothing seems to be going easy with this rig so far. She'll eventual get all straightened out but I have a strong feeling it's going to be a long road.
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Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,148
Likes: 5,783
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
No off road shops, hot rod shops, custom fab places around? Any business like a logging /tree service or heavy equipment places that have a in house shop to repair their stuff?
That is where I borrowed the big stuff to work on my Bronco knuckles for the TRO swap.
That is where I borrowed the big stuff to work on my Bronco knuckles for the TRO swap.
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Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
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From: State of Jefferson
The place I'm heading to now was recommended by our local "hot rod" parts shop. I'm also fairly new to my area so don't have many contacts. Thanks for the helpful advice .
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Thanks Hio Silver! I see a lot of these reamers have T handles. Are you doing this by hand or with a 1/2 Drill? I also saw where a while back you had a Reamer and offered to send it off to someone with a deposit. Any chance you still have it around? No pressure, I'm just trying to get this done.
If it's not available, where have you found them for a good price/quality?
If it's not available, where have you found them for a good price/quality?
I did it by hand... s l o w l y .... to sneak up on the correct amount of stick-out.
I happened to have had one disc D44 knuckle on hand to test.. I recently found the RH knuckle in the 'yard so am good to go with a disc swap one of these days.... . I don't advise doing it by machine.
Speedway Motors for $80: Speedway Tapered Ball Joint Reamer, 7 Degree
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 71
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From: State of Jefferson
I have one more trail to chase down tomorrow morning. If it doesn't work out I'll let you know. Thanks a ton Hio. Btw, how north in California are you? I'm just across the border outside of Medford,OR.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
... Lemme know and we can work something out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 32
Tips:
1. Turn the reamer slow and steady with even pressure.
2. Turn only in one direction.
3. Use a penetrant (or ATF) to keep it lubed.
4. Determine how much "stick out" is needed for the 78/79 tie rods before reaming the steering arms. Don't wanna go too deep with the reamer, right?
1. Turn the reamer slow and steady with even pressure.
2. Turn only in one direction.
3. Use a penetrant (or ATF) to keep it lubed.
4. Determine how much "stick out" is needed for the 78/79 tie rods before reaming the steering arms. Don't wanna go too deep with the reamer, right?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 118
...and as much as you might not want to shop on eBay, you might check there. I wish I had spent the little money on a used reamer, instead of paying a shop to do a job I could have done better....then passed the reamer on to someone else.
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: State of Jefferson
I wound up getting a hold of wild horses 4x4 and they've added a reamer to the linkage order. My rent is already shot on the linkage so I figured I may as well. What really kicks my butt is that a late 77 F150 showed up in the yard today when I went to pick up the bluebulb cover for another member here today. It has everything I needed including disk brakes and power steering whole. I may go back and grab it after payday if it's still there. It certainly won't hurt to have the extras to help another out.thanks to all of you who've tried giving a hand.