I have a 2002 Durango SLT and the driverside steering knuckle is bent on the part that brake caliper bolts on to and its making the metal bracket that holds the brake pad into the caliper to rub on the rotor. I was wondering if it would be safe to heat it up with a torch and bend it back or if that would drasticly weaken the steel. it looks to me like the knuckle is made out of cast iron if i am correct with this as long as after its heated it is allowed to cool slowly it should regain all of its strength if not more. If i'm going about this or thinking about this all wrong i'm open to suggestions.

 

honestly, i would just replace the part that is bent, it is the safest way to do it

if you dont mind sharing how it got bent, that might help.

 

NO

Anytime you heat metal you brake down the carbon in it and that weakens the metal. Just replace the knuckle with a new one or get a junk yard one.

 

heating doesnt break down the carbon in steel it allows it to move around in solution just like it allows all elements in the steel to move around in solution. This can be bad if your working with stainless steel because it will allow the chromium to move around in solution and you will end up with stainless steel that is no longer rust resistant. But it looks to me like the knuckle is iron or mild steel does anyone know exactly what type of metal the steering knuckle is made out of?

 

When exposed to heat, carbon molecules in steel realign themselves in a harder, stronger pattern, allowing a blade to hold an edge. The problem with this is the softer core. The heated (outer surface) becomes fragile. http://www.springerlink.com/content/n247364n711p23x4/