[rj308]

Gentlemen, I have a question for those who may have done this. To install new kingpin bearings, is it possible to:

Remove the wheel, brake caliper, brake disk, tie rod end (and steering arm), vacuum hoses, ABS sensor, large swivel seals and then just remove the kingpins and pull out the hub/rotor/knuckle/axle shaft as a unit?

If this is possible, is it difficult getting the axle shaft splines lined up in the differential when you reinstall the unit?

Thanks in advance for info from those who have done it this way. RJ

[BEE55T]

There is a good pdf on bigjimny.com.
Google is your friend.
Did ours recently. About 6hrs total.
Do the inner axle seals while you're at it.

[rj308]

Yes Beest, I had already looked at that. I just do not see any reason that the hubs needed to be taken apart. I am looking for acknowledgment that it is possible to do it as I described it in my OP. Maybe I should just ask if it is at all difficult to re-insert the splines of the axles back into the differential when putting the axles back in. \
Thanks, RJ

[BEE55T]

sorry, yeah, no need to disassemble the wheel bearings/hub.
The whole thing comes off as one item.
Cv's and axles pretty simple to remove and replace.



This is an easy way to put the bearing cups in. They tend to jump around a fair bit.
Enjoy the greasy fun.

[rj308]

Thanks Beest. Great photo. RJ

[Gwagensteve]

It takes 20 seconds to take the hub and circlip off. It’ll take you much longer than that to wrangle the whole thing back into place with the axle attached to the spindle.

[rj308]

Gwagensteve, thanks, that is the kind of info I am looking for. Does Susuki use a gasket on the hubs or just a sealant? RJ

[Gwagensteve]

Sierras use a gasket under the hub cap to hub body. Hub body to bearing housing doesn’t have a gasket- it’s a highly loaded connection and clean metal-metal contact is critical. Just use a smear of RTV on that connection.