Hey guys and gals, I've been using this site for quite a while now and unfortunately, it's come time for me to post my issue.

I've got a 99 1500 4x4 that I bought in 2008. The knuckle was already in bad shape due to one of the previous owners backyard repairs that was quite obviously not meant to last. To make a long story short, the knuckle is stripped out where the caliper bolts to it.

The truck has 203xxx miles on the chasis, right around 100k on the trans, and roughly 10k on the engine. I personally have put around 70k on the truck. Just as it seems I've replaced everything there is, something else pops up.

My newest issue is the front axle/knuckle. I've got to replace both axle seals(a fun job indeed), the tie rod, and the knuckle. I just replaced the u-joints, and I knew I would have to replace the knuckle shortly after purchasing the truck.

So here's the question, and I'm sure I know the answer. Would helicoils be an okay temporary fix so I can at least drive the truck until a new knuckle is available. I know it's cast so it would certainly be difficult.

Anyone know a reputable place to get a used knuckle? I just paid around $120 for one, but it turned out to be for the 00-01, which obviously has a different caliper.

The other question is this, would putting the newer dual piston caliper on be an issue?

Thanks for the replies in advance, and sorry for the novel.

 

I wouldnt complain if I had dual piston calipers ya get more braking force for bigger tires

 

If you put the dual piston caliper on one side, do it on the other also.

 

Yes you can use a helicoil for repair. As long as it's installed correctly, it'll be fine. Personally, I would install the knuckle you bought with the dual piston caliper, and replace the caliper on the other side to match.

 

Yeah, the problem is the caliper mounts different to the 99 vs the 00. So I'd have to purchase another knuckle and caliper for the other side, which isn't really cost effective for a repair, and upgrade yes, but not a repair.

Does anyone know if there is any difference in the RWAL vs the AWAL knuckle besides there not being a hole for the abs senser bracket? Not sure if the AWAL hub is larger in diameter due to the need for the ABS sensor.

 

i don't think there is any significant difference in the knuckle for the RWAL vs the AWAL.

provided that your helicoil is threaded in (not glued) and torqued correctly (doesn't spin or strip out under 80-100ish pounds of torque), then it will be fine. if there is any doubt about the strength of the helicoil, then i'd drill/re-tap up one size on that bolt, and again - verify that it can withstand torque.

regarding knuckle replacement, the 00-01's have dual piston caliper, so if you got knuckles, caliper brackets, and calipers (rotors?) from the junkyard for a decent price, then you can swap them out. do NOT put dual piston on one side only or it will pull like a MF.

 

car-parts.com. Look it up, and search for your part, can find one pretty cheap on there. REMEMBER, ALWAYS call the yard BEFORE you think you wanna buy one that way though...

 

Thanks again guys. I just ordered a new one from the stealership. They quoted me just over $900 list, but my business is a retail shop also so it came down to $515.20

 

$500 !!!!! **** f******** fire.

 

TWICE! Unless that is installed price!