Lift Knuckle VS Lift Spindle?

[Dustin Jackson]

I know this is probably a stupid question..

I can only find 1 or 2 different lift knuckles for a 4wd Tahoe but it seems like there are hundreds of different lift spindles for the 2wd Tahoes.

When I compare the lift knuckles vs the lift spindle I cannot obviously see what the difference is and I am wondering (here is the dumb part) can you put a 2ws lift spindle on a 4wd tahoe and still be able to get your CV installed?

 

[iamdub]

I know this is probably a stupid question..

I can only find 1 or 2 different lift knuckles for a 4wd Tahoe but it seems like there are hundreds of different lift spindles for the 2wd Tahoes.

When I compare the lift knuckles vs the lift spindle I cannot obviously see what the difference is and I am wondering (here is the dumb part) can you put a 2ws lift spindle on a 4wd tahoe and still be able to get your CV installed?

They are the same, just different terms. Technically, "knuckle" is more appropriate since the entire assembly that the ball joints bolt to is the knuckle. The "spindle" is the bar/axle that the hub rides on via bearings. With lowering or lifting knuckles, the spindle is located higher (lowering) or lower (lifting) on the knuckle.

On '99+ trucks, there is no spindle. It has a hub that bolts to the knuckle. For lowering or lifting knuckles, the hub is bolted higher or lower.

As far as I know, for the '99+ trucks, the lift knuckles/spindles for 2WD and 4WD trucks are all the same.

 

[wjburken]

I know this is probably a stupid question..

I can only find 1 or 2 different lift knuckles for a 4wd Tahoe but it seems like there are hundreds of different lift spindles for the 2wd Tahoes.

When I compare the lift knuckles vs the lift spindle I cannot obviously see what the difference is and I am wondering (here is the dumb part) can you put a 2ws lift spindle on a 4wd tahoe and still be able to get your CV installed?

How much of a lift are you looking for on the front? They may limit them to 2wd due to overly aggressive CV angles resulting on a 4wd vehicle.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

They are the same, just different terms. Technically, "knuckle" is more appropriate since the entire assembly that the ball joints bolt to is the knuckle. The "spindle" is the bar/axle that the hub rides on via bearings. With lowering or lifting knuckles, the spindle is located higher (lowering) or lower (lifting) on the knuckle.

On '99+ trucks, there is no spindle. It has a hub that bolts to the knuckle. For lowering or lifting knuckles, the hub is bolted higher or lower.

As far as I know, for the '99+ trucks, the lift knuckles/spindles for 2WD and 4WD trucks are all the same.

@iamdub That is very good info thank you. Another question related to what @wjburken pointed out is could you remove the CV axles from a 4wd tahoe and run it as a 2wd? What I am getting at is I want to lift my tahoe but I absolutely hate the crossmember drop that is required for IFS lift kits. It looks ugly and defeats the ground clearance gains of a lift. So I am looking to see how much lift I can get without having to use a crossmember drop and if I have to remove my CV axles I don't think I would mind since this tahoe doesn't leave the road, I have a jeep cherokee for off road.

 

[iamdub]

@iamdub That is very good info thank you. Another question related to what @wjburken pointed out is could you remove the CV axles from a 4wd tahoe and run it as a 2wd? What I am getting at is I want to lift my tahoe but I absolutely hate the crossmember drop that is required for IFS lift kits. It looks ugly and defeats the ground clearance gains of a lift. So I am looking to see how much lift I can get without having to use a crossmember drop and if I have to remove my CV axles I don't think I would mind since this tahoe doesn't leave the road, I have a jeep cherokee for off road.

I've READ that you can't run a 4WD hub with no axle stub in it cuz the stub helps to hold the hub/bearing assembly together. I've also READ that this is total BS. Personally, I have never studied nor dissected each hub. But, it looks like the only difference between a 2WD and 4WD hub is the 4WD hub has the splined keyway for the axle stub shaft to go through and the 2WD hub has this capped off. There could be a difference in the 2WD hub under those covers, though.

You could get some junk CV axles from the salvage yard, disassemble them and bolt the outer joints/stub shafts in the hubs.

 

[JimmBrooks]

I am currently running my sub as 2wd only, after the xfer case grenaded I pulled both cv axels and front drive shaft.

 

[Dustin Jackson]

I am currently running my sub as 2wd only, after the xfer case grenaded I pulled both cv axels and front drive shaft.

@JimmBrooks So you are running 4wd wheel hubs without the cv axles in them? That is interesting to know, I agree that by looking at them I don't see how the cv axle would need to be in them to work properly.

 

[Rocket Man]

There is a member on here @01ssreda4 that was or is running 4wd hubs without cv axles. Hopefully he will see this and chime in.
https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/threads/yukon-down-awd-delete-headers-converter-etc.81191/

 

[Dustin Jackson]

@Rocket Man @JimmBrooks @iamdub I am in the process of reassembling my truck and I have already reinstalled my old CV axles. They seem a little clunky and worn but they should be OK for now. If I find that they are not happy after I get my truck back on the road I might remove them.

In all of my research I ended up discovering that I had reinstalled my brake dust shield in the wrong way and it preventing me from reinstalling my brakes. Imagine spending two weekends in a row replacing the front suspension to discover this right when you are about to finish..

Anyways I should be able to remove my wheel hubs without removing the CV axle and strut correct? I am so tired from this and seeing the dust shield being installed wrong crushed me I will not lie.

 

[Rocket Man]

@Rocket Man @JimmBrooks @iamdub I am in the process of reassembling my truck and I have already reinstalled my old CV axles. They seem a little clunky and worn but they should be OK for now. If I find that they are not happy after I get my truck back on the road I might remove them.

In all of my research I ended up discovering that I had reinstalled my brake dust shield in the wrong way and it preventing me from reinstalling my brakes. Imagine spending two weekends in a row replacing the front suspension to discover this right when you are about to finish..

Anyways I should be able to remove my wheel hubs without removing the CV axle and strut correct? I am so tired from this and seeing the dust shield being installed wrong crushed me I will not lie.

Yes I have replaced my hubs without removing the CV axles. You can also replace the CV axles without removing the hubs, I just did that a week ago.