Stripped Cadmium Plating on Knuckle Insert between Axle and Hub

[gkorgood]

In the process of rebuilding my 2002 FX4 front end, I have replaced almost all the parts with the exception of the lower control arms/torsion bars and the knuckles and hubs/bearings. The control arms, hubs/bearings, and torsion bars are in good shape, but the knuckles had a coating of surface rust that I removed through both evapo-rust and (when I didn’t have enough evapo-rust to fully submerge the knuckles) a day or so of electrolysis. At the end of the process I had successfully removed or converted the surface rust and painted the knuckles with some farm equipment paint from O’Reilly, being careful to mask off all machined surfaces. The one concern I have is that the pressed in plate that sits between the wheel hub bearing and CV half-shaft was originally brass colored, presumably from a cadmium plating. That coating has fully worn off from the rust removal (see attached picture). Am I still ok to run these knuckles as is? Should I attempt to coat that plate with a rust inhibitor or other product? Or do I need new knuckles altogether (I really hope it’s not this one)?

What is the purpose of that plate anyway? From what I can tell the wheel hub bearing doesn’t actually touch it as it seats on the outside lip of the knuckle, and the surface looks far too rough for the CV axle shaft seal to spin on it without tearing

 

[Shran]

I wouldn't even think twice about using that part. Everything comes either coated or painted with something. I imagine it was some sort of short term rust preventative measure that the part manufacturer did... I guess it wouldn't hurt to shoot a coat of paint on it but it's not totally necessary.

 

[ericbphoto]

Looks like it’s just some kind of dust/debris shield. I agree with Shran.

 

[gkorgood]

I wouldn't even think twice about using that part. Everything comes either coated or painted with something. I imagine it was some sort of short term rust preventative measure that the part manufacturer did... I guess it wouldn't hurt to shoot a coat of paint on it but it's not totally necessary.

Just to clarify, you wouldn’t think twice about using it as in it’s good to go or as in it’s trash and replace it?

 

[Shran]

Good to go. I'm sure it's fine.

 

[pjtoledo]

just a debris shield that stops some bigger stuff from hitting the bearing seal. it is not waterproof. some years don't even have it.