I just bought a samurai project with i believe a spoa kit and toyota axles? Its 5 lug i believe 5x4.5? Its a knuckle type design and front left one is super worn out leans in at top and will lock up. Where do i start???

anybody got any ideas on this? its a closed knuckle design removable 3rd member aisin hubs has all signs of toyota but its 5 lug? what do i have?

pics?  its sounds like a stock samurai axle.  Are you sure the lug pattern isn't 5 x 5.5?  take the wheels off and measure WMS to WMS (WMS=wheel mounting surface).  Toy axle is around 55.5" Samurai is more like 52.5"

maybe it is i dunno? i am new to this. ill measure

a few more things to look for - a toy axle has steering stops welded to ends of the axle tube with an adjuster bolt on the knuckle, but sammy axle doesn't have any stops.  also, the steering arms on a toy axle bolt to the top of the knuckle.  The samurai steering arms are cast into the front of the knuckle.

i know looks like shit but runs surprisingly well and has lockers front rear twin stick setup and good low gear

if you can get me a close up pic of the knuckle I can probably tell you what axle you have.

Those are just samurai axles, I can tell ya by the width, and the z-link steering. They are 5x5.5 lug pattern, and they do look like miniature toyota axles. Your kingpin bearings are trashed, thats why it leans in. Not hard to fix. Got to any parts store, buy all 4. You may want to do some wheel bearings as well. If you're not technically inclined, you can probably find someone on here thats near by and can help ya.

ok so i was thinkin having these items installed, local 4x4 shop do it for $250 bucks. I dunno if i need new lockouts? has aisin ones on it but the one on the messed up side wont turn? heres the kit:

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/index.php/suzuki/samurai/axles/front-knuckle-rebuild-kits.html

hubs:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hard-to-Find-Locking-Hub-Set-Suzuki-Samurai-86-87-88-89-/280441359397?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item414b9b8c25

that kit will fix your problem, and i would agree that its a good idea to get the kit with wheel bearings. 

For the lockout hub, there is not too much that can go wrong with them.  There is an o-ring that seals the dial that you turn.  My guess is that the o-ring is cracked or broken, or you have some corrosion in there.  I think Hawk Suzuki sells replacement o-rings.  You can take the hub apart yourself with a set of snap ring pliers.  Just be careful not to lose the small metal detent ball and spring in the dial when you take it apart.  Also, do not grease the hub when you put it back together.  just spray the internals with some teflon or silicon spray before you bolt it back on the axle.

But then again, if you plan on doing a lot of wheeling a spare hub is nice to have on hand so you may want to buy another set anyway.  Go to a junkyard and pick up a set cheap off of a geo tracker or sidekick. 

From the ebay link that you posted:
Additional Makes / Models This Item Will Fit: 
Make Model Years
GEO Tracker 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
Suzuki Samurai 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
Suzuki Sidekick 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
 

ok so ill probably buy the set off the ebay listing if mine is fubar on the one side. i ordered the rebuild kit so should be good on the front axle. next will be some 31's, fix or get rid of split stick setup, lexan windshield, finish tubing back half and adding fuel cell, new front bumper with winch, and possible tube front clip w stock hood. Oh and a good coat of industrial paint to make decent lol

ok so ill probably buy the set off the ebay listing if mine is fubar on the one side. i ordered the rebuild kit so should be good on the front axle. next will be some 31's, fix or get rid of split stick setup, lexan windshield, finish tubing back half and adding fuel cell, new front bumper with winch, and possible tube front clip w stock hood. Oh and a good coat of industrial paint to make decent lol

The stock Aisin hubs are far superior to the cheap superwinch hubs you pointed out on ebay. Whats more is the hub dial is not only infinitely rebuildable, but they are interchangeable with Toyota and some Isuzus. Which means you can just go to the junkyard and snag a hub dial (the outer part held on by 10mm bolts) from any toyota 4x4 (well like 79-95) and have perfectly nice slick hubs. I keep one around for a spare, although they never really go bad. Only one I ever had trouble with was due to some rock rash.
The sidekick manual hubs are kinda rare, and are actually a bit different, but will still work.
Good idea going with the Hawk kit, thats the best option.