Is that material fused to the spindle, or has material been removed from the spindle? There is a chance of machining off welded material.

Dust shield is removable if I recall correctly. So if you find one with a wrecked shield you're still in business.

The kingpin bushing inside the knuckle may be permanent bronze sleeve or replaceable plastic sleeve. I'd recommend the bronze one.

 

Actually, you say this is an 84 passenger side E150?
Very odd coincidence but I may have one! I accidentally got the passenger side first when I was doing my replacement. Do '84 and '87 cross-ref?

 

Ok, I just ordered the part from a junkyard. Fingers crossed that it'll be the right part. I submitted 3 parts request forms online and i had an e-mail from a distributor in about 5 minutes. The websites I used to submit the requests were:

www.junkyarddog.com
www.nationalautopart.com
www.salvageautoparts.com

The distributor that replied first was www.becksautoparts.com - they were VERY helpful, knowledgable and nice. I would do business with them again.

Hopefully they'll send me the right part and this will all be over quickly.

Thanks again to everyone that helped me with this...stay tuned to see if everything fits back together!

ThatGuy Dan (guitar/vocals)
http://www.thatguyonline.com

 

Damn, I replied before I read the previous posts: sorry, I'm new.

DannyM - yes, it's an '84 passenger side E150. Judging by the fact that I've got disc brakes up front, I'd guess that an 87 would work, but I already bought one from a Junkyard! If the part they send me is wrong I'll buy yours off of you.

There is no material necessarily fused onto the spindle, but there are large gouge marks from where the bearings were loose and rolling around. Not only that, but the edge of the knuckle is damaged. It should be a right angle, but the bearings wore away the angle. You can best see that here: http://www.thatguyonline.com/ThatVan%20broken/DSC04530.JPG - although I admit it's tough to see the damage from these pics.

At first I thought about machine shops, but I figured it'd be easier to find a replacement part than it would have it machined. If it does turn out to be impossible to find this part I will absolutely consider it.

yes, the dust shield is removable and no it's not damaged. The kingpin and bolt are also in fine working order.

I was recently told that I'll need an alignment once I do all of this. I think it's a good idea. Does everyone else agree?

 

Hey - for anyone needing these parts, I've since gotten another 6 to 8 e-mails from junkyards claiming they have the part. This seems to be the best way to find a steering knuckle. FYI

 

First off, thanks to EVERYONE for all of your support. The replacement knuckle arrived and I installed it. Next I bought new bearings, seal, & cotter pins (the washer and nut were fine). I lubricated those and installed them, along with new rotors and break pads. I bled the breaks starting with the farthest tire from the MC up to the nearest. All the fluid is clear and there is no air in the brake lines. As preventative care, I installed all new bearings/rotor/pads on the driver's side as well...just to make sure it won't happen over there.

NOW I HAVE A NEW PROBLEM.

I triple checked everything as I was installing all of it, reading and then re-reading the directions in my Haynes manual. I drove it around my neighborhood and at first I could hear the brake pads rubbing against the rotors - pretty loudly. I didn't think that was too out of the ordinary, as they were a pretty tight fit when I installed them. After a few minutes I drove the van back and let the brakes cool off (they were smoking a little). After letting the van cool for about 30 min I took it for another spin. This time the rubbing of the pads against the rotors wasn't NEARLY as prevelant (mostly not there) but there's a clicking noise on the passenger side when I apply the pedal. The clicking noise sounds as if it's the pad touching the rotor...because it's only once and each time I touch the brakes. I KNOW I did everything right over there. The extra problem is that this puppy has to go on a 500 mile road trip TOMORROW. Is it safe to drive? Does anyone know what the heck this clicking noise is? It's only one click and it only happens when I touch the brake pedal. If I touch the pedal twice in the span of 5 seconds it doesn't happen. It only happens when I haven't touched the pedal in about ten seconds. Help? again? Please?

Thanks so much.
ThatGuy Dan.

 

I would pull the pads again and check their condition. If you overheated them one could have cracked and the loose piece could be making the noise. Ask me how I know this . Make sure the contact areas of the caliper and metal parts of the pads are well lubed to allow the pads to release properly. Lastly were your caliper pistons damaged at all? This can caused the brakes to hang even when it doesn't look likely.

 

Thanks gator. I'll check the pads again.

I drove the thing to work this morning and the clicking seems to have gone away (either that or traffic was too loud to hear it). I wonder if it had something to do with wearing in the pads or something.

I'll re-post if something else happens.
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN.