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King pin welch plugs


48 New Yorker

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I need some sage advice about rebuilding the king pins on my 48 New Yorker. I'm having trouble getting the welch plugs to stay in place. I've read that they fall out quite often leaving the bearings/kingpins exposed to dirt as well as letting grease drip out before it gets to the bearings.

I've cleaned up the seating surfaces because they were a bit nicked up. I installed the welch plugs (which are very tight fitting) and got them to seat properly, then flattened their domes, but when I pump in grease the plugs lift out.

Got any suggestions?

If all else fails I was thinking of attaching them with a couple of tack welds or using some JB Weld. I don't anticipate having to rebuild the king pins again because of the low mileage I plan to put on the car.

Thanks.

David in Santa Cruz

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I ran into this same problem. Most of it for me was I was over dimpling. This spring when I did the first chassis lube job since then all 4 are still in place. However one lets the grease ooze out in a small gap there instead of going out at the upright. I'm hoping its still spreading grease up to the upright and then just coming out the bottom when full

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Did you "stake" (slightly bend the retaining steel above the plug using a flat drift and small hammer) when you installed them? Do this in at least 3 places equally divided around the circle. Also a dab of RTV is a good thing to seal the gap. Dont over grease as the hydraulic pressure of the grease gun will drive the Welsh plugs out of the socket. The excess grease under pressure should exit on the open side of the bushing away from the Welsh plug. This is a poor picture but the best I have.

Bad idea to weld them.

7a.jpg

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Thanks all for your suggestions. I went a slightly different route. After seating the plugs I had them tack welded with a "soft" weld with low heat. If I should ever need to remove them I can simply "dremel" away the welds. This should keep the little buggers from flying off. See photo.

David in Santa Cruz.

post-6452-13585355229137_thumb.jpg

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  • 1 month later...

That will work too but ideally a couple stakes and knock the center of the plug should have held it.

Your idea will ensure the plugs stay put.

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