2000 XJ 4L auto 4wd. I am trying to change my driver side axle u joint and the ball joints and I managed to get a couple of decent scratches around the area where the hub goes into the knuckle as I was trying to hammer the hub out with a flathead. How important is it that surface be smooth? Should I just get a new knuckle or is this one salvageable? Also, maybe a dumb question, but if I end up replacing the knuckle, do I need to get an alignment afterwards?

 

The bearing in the hub is sealed , the hub just sites against it so it will be ok .

 

Just file down any high spots and call it good.

 

Be sure to paint the hub with anti-seize when you install it to make it easy to remove the next time.

 

I would get it aligned if any suspension parts were changed, but I'm more concerned about using up a set of tires or losing traction and wrecking than I am about the alignment fee. (I drive pretty assertive so I like handling to be all the way right, normal people wouldn't experience any traction difference from alignment unless it was way out.)

$.02