installing uprights/knuckles

[Young Ed]

Anyone have a tip for getting the upper rubber boots back in there? I fought with mine for about an hour before I gave up and pulled the other side apart enough to get the spindle out so they can both go in for new bushings.

[dirty dan]

My manual shows another of the famous "special tools"...

It looks like a thin, wide, flat metal clip that holds the seal tightly in place while you slide the upright into it. Perhaps you could find another set of hands with a flat metal ruler to act as that clip while you place the upright.

[Young Ed]

Dan thanks much for the tip. Duh I should have looked in the book myself. I looked after your answer saw the special tool. Ended up folding a piece of old aluminum house trim over the control arm to do the same thing. Done.

[james curl]

I used two thin putty knives, one on either side of the knuckle and just pushed the knuckle into place and pulled the putty knives out.

[Young Ed]

OK next question. I did the first king pin and all seemed to go well except for the following. I had to use 3 shims under the bearing to make it tight to the upright. And I couldnt get the lock pin to go in any further. Is this far enough? Also there was no mention of which way was up for the bearing. I installed it so the inner piece/surface was up against the upright.

[Andydodge]

The bearing "open" side should face down so that it gets grease, the shims should go above the bearing between it and the spindle/upright, as for the lock pin so long as it is inserted with the "flat" against the king pin "flat" then it should be fine............have just done the same thing and more on my P11 Coupe........what fun...........andyd

[Young Ed]

OHOH thats not how I did it. crap

[blueskies]

OHOH thats not how I did it. crap

Should be much easier to take apart the second time around...

Pete

[Young Ed]

Ya except this is like the 4th time and I already put the dust caps in. Dang it. Now I'll have to buy new ones. Are they readily available?

[PatS....]

I think it was Don C who posted this a long time ago. I saved it because I knew I would forget. Thanks Don

[Dodgeb4ya]

Ya except this is like the 4th time and I already put the dust caps in. Dang it. Now I'll have to buy new ones. Are they readily available?

Try Napa for the plug caps-or soft plugs as used on engine blocks. I've gotten some from them before.

Bob

[blueskies]

Ya except this is like the 4th time and I already put the dust caps in. Dang it. Now I'll have to buy new ones. Are they readily available?

How 'bout a couple of quarters?

Pete

[Don Coatney]

Ya except this is like the 4th time and I already put the dust caps in. Dang it. Now I'll have to buy new ones. Are they readily available?

I found the 1" freeze plugs at the local engine rebuild shop. They cost about twenty five cents each. So Pete was close when he said a quarter.

[Young Ed]

I'll stop in at napa they probably have them or can get them for me. Anyone comment on the shims going between the bearing and the upright? Or the fact I had to use 3?

[Andydodge]

Ed, thats probably because the spindle boss and knuckle have been rubbing against each other and wearing away at each other, 1-2 shims would not be uncommon, each kingpin kit I've seen has at least 2shims included per pin....3....?.....maybe a little bit more wear.....andyd

[laynrubber]

I am in the same situation.......removed 2 shims, installed 3 and the kin pin pin didn't hammer in as deep. No big deal for either issue i don't think.

The shims maybe different thickness, or we are taking up some wear from years gone by.