Aluminum knuckle failure

[jessedacri]

Man, now I'm worried about mine on that same side. I hit that side hard enough in Moab (going 30mph on a long flat dirt road, veered off trail to avoid speeding biker, hit a large bump) to bend my axle at the FAD and I've now replaced everything in the front end except the OEM knuckles. New Spicer Ultimate D44 axle, new HD ball joints, new 1410 U joints and chromoly shafts, synergy drag link and tie rod, steersmarts Yeti track bar. Stock knuckle that took a hit, and has been malleted at a hundred times to get removed and reinstalled.

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[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

Man, now I'm worried about mine on that same side. I hit that side hard enough in Moab (going 30mph on a long flat dirt road, veered off trail to avoid speeding biker, hit a large bump) to bend my axle at the FAD and I've now replaced everything in the front end except the OEM knuckles. New Spicer Ultimate D44 axle, new HD ball joints, new 1410 U joints and chromoly shafts, synergy drag link and tie rod, steersmarts Yeti track bar. Stock knuckle that took a hit, and has been malleted at a hundred times to get removed and reinstalled.

My front end has been cluncking after getting back from my last outing. I'm still waiting on my RCVs, and have the Reid knuckles and Dynatrac HD rebuildable ball joints in my garage ready to install. I went with the RPM drag and tie rods.

 

[SilverSurfer]

The aluminum knuckle on this Jeep broke and that make some of you overreact, come to unfounded conclusions and run for the cast knuckles?!?

Go read up on Newton’s laws, it will be a good starting point. If science is not your thing then watch the movie Something’s gotta give” (Pun intended).

 

[gato]

I may be wrong, but I think the ball joint failed as the Jeep unloaded with the bounce, and that took out the axle and knuckle.

So, ball joint may have been the trigger.

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

The aluminum knuckle on this Jeep broke and that make some of you overreact, come to unfounded conclusions and run for the cast knuckles?!?

Go read up on Newton’s laws, it will be a good starting point. If science is not your thing then watch the movie Something’s gotta give” (Pun intended).

Just thought it was interesting to actually see a broken aluminum knuckle. I've read and heard about bent knuckles and the wallowing (sp?) of the ball joint holes for awhile. I've had the Reid knuckles in my garage for a few weeks now. I'm lucky that I can be proactive and replace parts before having them break on the trail. We have tight and muddy trails in NJ and PA. Door handles, mirrors, fenders and antennas, I have to deal with after they break. LOL.
PS. Being able to turn a wrench also saves on cost too.

 

[Nailgun]

They do. But Reid racing steel knuckles are just a little bit cheaper.

Only $394 for the pair......a real bargain. Or is that per side?

 

[X-forget-it]

Jeep SUKS!! 4 mints ago I got a 2021 WILLIS Gladiatr -> little bump on the Parkin lot ant it’s been at the coalition shop for more than 2 months (suspension, axe backlog..)

same thing happened to my Yaris: just change the tire and like nothing…

Jeep sucks biggie ???

 

[19 JLUR Bright Whit3]

Only $394 for the pair......a real bargain. Or is that per side?

Each side. LOL. They sell them as a set for around $700 with a coupon code.

Edited: Error in pricing to reflect $700 instead of $600 (Bought too much stuff. LOL)

 

[old mike]

The aluminum knuckle on this Jeep broke and that make some of you overreact, come to unfounded conclusions and run for the cast knuckles?!?

Go read up on Newton’s laws, it will be a good starting point. If science is not your thing then watch the movie Something’s gotta give” (Pun intended).

I like your attitude. Be sure to update us on where it gets you.

 

[No IFS]

Obviously Jeep knew the limitations of the aluminum knuckle since they introduced cast iron knuckles on the Mojave, 392, XR models.

 

[OldBlue]

The aluminum knuckle - anyone know if it's cast or forged?

 

[GO_RV]

I never broke a knuckle

 

[Red Willy]

Anyone happen to notice both recovery vehicles are using Harbor freight Badlands Apex winches?

 

[the.jl.adventure]

Like it has been stated a couple of times, the person in the video who was driving the white Jeep, stated that... he 1) is new to off-roading, 2) couldn't make it up the obstacle so he was trying to go faster and was bouncing the vehicle, and 3) did not have his front axle locked. So yea, I am sure there was some pretty intense impact and stress on that aluminum knuckle.

I have put my aluminum knuckles through quite a bit on my JL, and they have stood up pretty dang well, zero issues... that being said though. Wheeling smart and knowing what your components can handle is key to preventing incidents like this.

I do agree that going with a steel knuckle will decently be stronger and hold up to more abuse. An aluminum knuckle is purely for saving some weight on the axle. I personally went with Steel Knuckles from Reid Racing, and ended up powder coating them red to match the Jeep (the orange was just not a good match for this build).

 

[Sparty]

This headline is similar to "100% of those who drink water every day will die"

If you indicated what he said he was doing 1/2 way through the video, then the whole post would have a lot different meaning.

It's a stock setup (steering/knuckles) If you sit there and hit the skinny pedal on rocks and wheelhop, something is going to give.

If you want to drive like mad max on the rocks, then you better upgrade the necessary parts/systems.

I'm sorry, but in my experience I would never sit there an wheel hop on rocks with stock components. You're just begging for something to let go

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