What is a flat knuckle? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

eedgell · 06-10-2007, 12:44 AM

Not to be stupid, but what is the flat knuckle? What is the other types? [dana 44 front]

hgs_notes · 06-10-2007, 12:56 AM

I've been wondering about the different knuckle types too. New to the 4x4 chevy stuff and learning a lot here. Pictures would help if someone has them.

**kwmech** · 06-10-2007, 01:19 AM

On the drivers side of a dana 44 you have the steering arm bolted to the steering knuckle. On the early 44s, the passenger side steering knuckle was flat where a steering arm could be bolted on, but it was not machined. They are sought after by the cross-over steering crowd so they can have it machined and intall their own steering arm

eedgell · 06-10-2007, 02:00 AM

Mine is like that. Up to what year were they that way? You said "early".

earl87gta · 06-10-2007, 03:19 AM

1975 maybe not much later then that.

msgross · 06-10-2007, 08:16 AM

mine came off a 76.... rusty pic is a newer dana44 (corp 10 is the same)

hgs_notes · 06-10-2007, 09:02 AM

Great, so what are open or closed knuckles?

msgross · 06-10-2007, 09:26 AM

oh that's easy... closed knuckle (ball and socket hip looking) is the 69? and earlier version and open is later up to 88'ish?). Closed knuckles have drum brakes and open are discs, closed have less steering radius as well and are a PITA to work on...

hgs_notes · 06-10-2007, 09:38 AM

Thanks Mike!

msgross · 06-10-2007, 09:42 AM

no problem, I have enough axles lying around... I also have a thread somewhere about the difference between a Dana44 and Corp 10 front end... Lessons learned from my build-up...(so far!)

earl87gta · 06-10-2007, 05:14 PM

Mike you need to just give in and get a D60.

msgross · 06-10-2007, 07:17 PM

I am, to resell!

but why stop there...Go Rockwell 2.5 tons! (deuce and a halfs rock)

earl87gta · 06-10-2007, 08:46 PM

rock wells are to much work I would never get them under my truck.

**Zoomad75** · 06-11-2007, 04:41 PM

A flat knuckle is what you get when you punch a solid object in a fit of anger. I was expecting the TV to break actually to which I found out Tv tubes are more solid that I previously thought. At least they are more solid than my fist!

I try not to punch solid objects anymore....

Back to the actual question. Looking at the ORD website, he lists flat top knuckles were on D44's from 76 and older. GM, Ford, Dodge and Jeep used them too, though the tie rod mounting differs between manufacturers.

The Flat top D44 knuckle can by used on a 10bolt front axle if one wanted x-over steering on it. For the most part parts from the knuckles out are interchangeable from the GM D44 to the 10 bolt.

1969k10stepside · 06-11-2007, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msgross

Closed knuckles have drum brakes and open are discs...

Not exactly true...Closed knuckle axles are '69 and older.In '70 they had open knuckle axles but they kept the drums.In 71 they finally went to discs....just a correction

06-10-2007, 12:44 AM	#1
eedgell It's the air up here Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 710	What is a flat knuckle? Not to be stupid, but what is the flat knuckle? What is the other types? [dana 44 front] __________________ 1971 cheyenne k10 4 speed np 205 454 BB factory a/c Never drink down stream of the herd! Eric

06-10-2007, 12:56 AM	#2
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	Re: What is a flat knuckle? I've been wondering about the different knuckle types too. New to the 4x4 chevy stuff and learning a lot here. Pictures would help if someone has them. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

06-10-2007, 01:19 AM	#3
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,650	Re: What is a flat knuckle? On the drivers side of a dana 44 you have the steering arm bolted to the steering knuckle. On the early 44s, the passenger side steering knuckle was flat where a steering arm could be bolted on, but it was not machined. They are sought after by the cross-over steering crowd so they can have it machined and intall their own steering arm

06-10-2007, 02:00 AM	#4
eedgell It's the air up here Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 710	Re: What is a flat knuckle? Mine is like that. Up to what year were they that way? You said "early". __________________ 1971 cheyenne k10 4 speed np 205 454 BB factory a/c Never drink down stream of the herd! Eric

06-10-2007, 03:19 AM	#5
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: What is a flat knuckle? 1975 maybe not much later then that. Attached Images __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb Last edited by earl87gta; 06-10-2007 at 04:47 AM.

06-10-2007, 08:16 AM	#6
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: What is a flat knuckle? mine came off a 76.... rusty pic is a newer dana44 (corp 10 is the same) Attached Images __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

06-10-2007, 09:02 AM	#7
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	Re: What is a flat knuckle? Great, so what are open or closed knuckles? __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

06-10-2007, 09:26 AM	#8
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: What is a flat knuckle? oh that's easy... closed knuckle (ball and socket hip looking) is the 69? and earlier version and open is later up to 88'ish?). Closed knuckles have drum brakes and open are discs, closed have less steering radius as well and are a PITA to work on... Attached Images __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 06-10-2007 at 09:26 AM.

06-10-2007, 09:38 AM	#9
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	Re: What is a flat knuckle? Thanks Mike! __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

06-10-2007, 09:42 AM	#10
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: What is a flat knuckle? no problem, I have enough axles lying around... I also have a thread somewhere about the difference between a Dana44 and Corp 10 front end... Lessons learned from my build-up...(so far!) __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

06-10-2007, 05:14 PM	#11
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: What is a flat knuckle? Mike you need to just give in and get a D60. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

06-10-2007, 07:17 PM	#12
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: What is a flat knuckle? I am, to resell! but why stop there...Go Rockwell 2.5 tons! (deuce and a halfs rock) __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer" Last edited by msgross; 06-10-2007 at 07:18 PM.

06-10-2007, 08:46 PM	#13
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: What is a flat knuckle? rock wells are to much work I would never get them under my truck. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

06-11-2007, 04:41 PM	#14
Zoomad75 K5Camper Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Pueblo, CO Posts: 1,513	Re: What is a flat knuckle? A flat knuckle is what you get when you punch a solid object in a fit of anger. I was expecting the TV to break actually to which I found out Tv tubes are more solid that I previously thought. At least they are more solid than my fist! I try not to punch solid objects anymore.... Back to the actual question. Looking at the ORD website, he lists flat top knuckles were on D44's from 76 and older. GM, Ford, Dodge and Jeep used them too, though the tie rod mounting differs between manufacturers. The Flat top D44 knuckle can by used on a 10bolt front axle if one wanted x-over steering on it. For the most part parts from the knuckles out are interchangeable from the GM D44 to the 10 bolt. __________________ Rob Z. 1975 K5 350/465/205/D44/12b 4" lift on 35's- RIP 1991 K5 8.1L/NV4500/241/D44/14b FWC Camper



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