Ever seen rubber do this?

[maybs]

So, I decided to finally do some triage on my steering knuckle that had started dripping birfield snot. I figured I should at least pack some fresh grease up in there before heading out to Pott's. This is what the knuckle oil seal looked like when I pulled it out. Pretty chewed up and nasty-looking...


The Samurai service manual says that this thing not only keeps out dirt and water, but also dampens the steering system. Worn-out knuckle oil seals can cause the front-end to shimmy. It is a much thicker type of seal than that found in Toyota knuckles. Well, the seal I removed was in such bad shape, I was able to press my finger down into it and it flattened the seal out till it was wafer thin and left my fingerprint in it:


Sadly, I didn't plan for this and I don't want to put that crap back in and run it... so I won't be driving it to Pott's tomorrow. But, I do want to run it once before the Suzuki becomes a Volksukiyota.

[Billet Benny]

The Samurai service manual says that this thing not only keeps out dirt and water, but also dampens the steering system.

It makes your steering system wet, but also keeps out water? Sweet.

Just looks like rubber that has broken down over time. Nothing crazy, just old.

[Trailduster79]

you don't need that crap, put it back together and run it.....it is a samurai after all.

Mine has been leaking really bad lately, but it finially stopped right before I took it to the beach for the mud bog. Guess I finially ran out of gear oil and grease.

You will spend more money on a rebuild kit than the stock axles are worth.