bajabug

Typical stripped knuckle where caliper bolt goes in. I've searched but I'm still unsure on what specific kit to buy. I'm finding ones that tell me to get different drill bits than other kits. Some people also said that the bit some kits recommend are actually slightly too small making it difficult to gt the tool out without trouble. Are there any kits that come with everything including the bit? I don't want to order online because I need to get the Jeep inspected by the end of the month and this weekend is my only free time. Which kits from local stores have people successfully used?

EeeSkwa

I just did this to my knuckle. take your time and piece of cake. I bought a kit from my local Autozone. If I recall, I lubricated and drilled both holes first with a 5/16th bit, then with a 21/64 bit. you can then run the tap from the inside out (from the backside of the knuckle/or the same direction that the bolts go in). since you're likely not doing this on a drill press with the knuckle off the jeep, just take your time and make sure it is as perpendicular as possible. I used silicone lubricant when drilling, but none for tapping. Red loctitie on the helicoil itself when screwing it in is the last step. I also recommend getting new bolts from the hardware store, or closely inspect the threads on your old ones to make sure they are not stripped. Im not 100% positive, but pretty sure if I remember that the helicoil kit size(and thus the 2 bolts) are 8M x 1.25 thread pitch. good luck!

P.S. clean out holes with brake cleaner and then compressed air afterwards to make sure they are smooth before tapping

firebane

For the time and effort.. you could go to the junk yard and grab a good knuckle in just a few minutes lol.

bajabug

My junkyard likes to overcharge for everything. Not to mention, with my luck, the same thing will happen to the new one. Either than or something else breaks/reveals it's ugly head in the process. Nothing ever goes smooothly when working on an XJ. Even on a rust free chassis, every bolt/thread is shot.

EeeSkwa

helicoil worked out great for me, plus you don't have to go through the pain of pressing ball joints and u joints. Easy, simple, and strong fix. Think you will find a lof of people on CF the agree this is a more than adequate fix.

bajabug

I wonder if the WJ knuckles are butter like the XJ's? ... for future mods. If so, I could see that being another selling point on the "upgrade" that isn't listed.