[HiFive]

Hi new to the forum and am in the process of puting a front scout d44 in my cj. What is the best way to cut and turn the knuckles on a scout II dana 44. Should I grind the welds out or torch the weld out. If we torch it out will the heat weaken the knuckle? What's your opinions. Thanks

 

[Scooter402]

If all you are doing is turning them and not narrowing the axle, I'd grind them. it's much more controllable, and you won't risk blowing a hole through the axle. That is, unless you're REALLY damn good with a torch. I wouldn't worry too much about the heat, because they'll get pretty warm with grinding, too. But anyway, if it were me, I'd grind the welds out.

 

[TSwiss]

I would grind them. That's how I did mine. I think you would have a hard time not wrecking the C's if you used a torch.

 

[ky scrambled]

grinding disc not cuttoff wheel. When you feel you are getting close go ahead and give em a wack with a BFH. Hairline cracks will form and let you know where you need to grind more.

 

[slam49]

I just did this about a month ago. You have to grind real deep Into the knuckle horizontally for the cracks to start forming. Don't even waste you time beating on the knuckle till you have a crack all the way around the tube.. Mine were an absolute bitch to get off. I had to heat them up and BFH. They were stuck on hard.. I don't have pics of how deep I had to grind to find the cracks. These pics are after I basically ground the weld out to a 90 degree, tube to knuckle then I had to grind in towards the knuckle about 1/4 to 1/2" to get the rest of the weld out..I used a 4.5" grinder.

 

[WallyP226]

As mentioned above. Grind, dremel, the weld out.

I tried to stay more on the tube and away from the knuckle.

I thumped the knuckle occasionally with a 2.5-5lb hammer. Once you have removed enough of the weld, a crack will appear and you will be able to turn the knuckle.

Then comes measuring and welding it back up.

Wally