Open vs. Closed knuckles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shelby987 · 02-28-2006, 10:28 PM

Apparently I have a one off axle....FIGURES! Can someone explain to me the difference between an open and closed axle? Benefits etc?

Thanks

shelby987 · 02-28-2006, 10:31 PM

oh yeah, can anyone tell me, what I would need to swap my drum brakes for disc. brakes?

JAKES 68GMC · 02-28-2006, 10:51 PM

Closed knuckle, the front wheel ride on what looks like a ball. Open knuckle has like a u-joint between the axle housing and the brake/wheel. Closed knuckle axles are in 67-69 trucks.

1969 GMC · 03-01-2006, 09:19 PM

I posted in your other axle post and forgot you have a '70 with the open knuckles and drum brakes. If I remember correctly, you can swap the knuckles from a D44 and they should work, if you can't find an axle that has the gearing you want.

You should just steer clear of the closed knuckle axles.

Also, open knuckle axles were made for more years and should be easier to find (theoretically, Lol!).

You can find closed knuckle D44's under gm 4x4's from 1960-1969. They still have a u joint, but it is inside the ball in a grease bath. The knuckles are held on with little kingpins.

Yours is the one year only, then open knuckle & discs from '71 up.

qksilver · 03-03-2006, 12:49 PM

I did a reply in another post about disc brakes. I have a 67 closed knuckle axle. I was looking at some parts and the guy had a 67SWB4X4 with disc brakes.
All he did was get them off of a 80 1/2 chevy 4X4 and bolted them on. I took one hub off my my 67 and one side off my 85 and the just bolt on.
Go to a junkyard and get from the steering knuckle out, replace/rebuild the wear parts and bolt on.
Remember have to replace the master cylinder and proportioning valve.
Factory parts................

02-28-2006, 10:28 PM	#1
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	Open vs. Closed knuckles Apparently I have a one off axle....FIGURES! Can someone explain to me the difference between an open and closed axle? Benefits etc? Thanks __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!

02-28-2006, 10:31 PM	#2
shelby987 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Just outside Durham, NC Posts: 894	Re: Open vs. Closed knuckles oh yeah, can anyone tell me, what I would need to swap my drum brakes for disc. brakes? __________________ 1969 SS 350 Camaro Sold 2008 1970 3/4T K20, stock height with 33's, 250 I6, 3 on the tree, and locked front and rear 4.10's 1980 Chevy Malibu 2 dr Sold 2007 1993 Olds. Cutlass Ciera Wagon Traded 2006 2003 Saturn L200 w/5pd. D/D My list spans 5 decades with One common thread.....GM!

02-28-2006, 10:51 PM	#3
JAKES 68GMC Aluminum slot wheels rule... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 6,211	Re: Open vs. Closed knuckles Closed knuckle, the front wheel ride on what looks like a ball. Open knuckle has like a u-joint between the axle housing and the brake/wheel. Closed knuckle axles are in 67-69 trucks.

03-01-2006, 09:19 PM	#4
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	Re: Open vs. Closed knuckles I posted in your other axle post and forgot you have a '70 with the open knuckles and drum brakes. If I remember correctly, you can swap the knuckles from a D44 and they should work, if you can't find an axle that has the gearing you want. You should just steer clear of the closed knuckle axles. Also, open knuckle axles were made for more years and should be easier to find (theoretically, Lol!). You can find closed knuckle D44's under gm 4x4's from 1960-1969. They still have a u joint, but it is inside the ball in a grease bath. The knuckles are held on with little kingpins. Yours is the one year only, then open knuckle & discs from '71 up. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650 Last edited by 1969 GMC; 03-01-2006 at 09:20 PM.

03-03-2006, 12:49 PM	#5
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: Open vs. Closed knuckles I did a reply in another post about disc brakes. I have a 67 closed knuckle axle. I was looking at some parts and the guy had a 67SWB4X4 with disc brakes. All he did was get them off of a 80 1/2 chevy 4X4 and bolted them on. I took one hub off my my 67 and one side off my 85 and the just bolt on. Go to a junkyard and get from the steering knuckle out, replace/rebuild the wear parts and bolt on. Remember have to replace the master cylinder and proportioning valve. Factory parts................



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