King Pins

[Dennis_MN]

I just came back from getting new front tires and a front end allignment.

They didn't do the front end allignment because they said that my king pins were bad...a bit of a wobble, and that my tie rod was bent.

They recommended new tie rod ends.

So after searching and reading all about king pins I have a couple of questions.

Seems like NAPA has a set with a thrust bearing and that kit number from Merles research is Napa P/N 2621231 ($116)

The axle hole should be ok because that doesn't move. It would seem that I need to take the kit and every thing but the axle to a machine shop to have bushings installed and bored to fit the kit.

How does the bearing get fitted?

Tie Rod ends, Merle what did you end up doing?

anyone have a good tie rod to sell?

Are there any available without being gold plated? Looks like Napa can get a tie rod for $175 but without the ends

Dennis

Edited July 17, 2012 by Dennis_MN
added price of tie rod

[Dave72dt]

Brg goes between the bottom of the axle and the bottom ear of the spindle. shims are used to take up the vertical slack.

[pflaming]

I did just as you described. After the shop has pressed out the old bushings and pressed in now ones they should them true the two (ream out the center). My machinest insisted that I use the king pin that he had in each bushing, NO switeroos!

When I put the spindles back on, I put the bottom grease 'plate' in at the bench.

If I were to do it again, I would take the entire axle out and do the entire job on the bench! Your are only 8 u-bolts away from removing the axle. Getr a good ipact wrench and it's a 15 minute job. JMHO

[Scruffy49]

The 20 years newer kingpins in my other 1/2 ton required a 20 ton press and some serious heat to get them to come out...

If you're lucky you can do the job in the driveway. Bushing reamer? Just use a brake cylinder hone, a little slower but does a good job.

Last set I did on my own didn't need any bushing resizing. I got really lucky.

[Merle Coggins]

Watch which king pin kit you get. There is a serial number break with the trucks and you need to be sure you get the right kit. Also, Napa has the tie rod ends too, at least that's where I got mine. How badly is the tie rod bent? It can probably be straightened to work. Or are they looking at the drag link and thinking it's the tie rod. The drag link should have a bend in it.

Merle

[TodFitch]

Bushing reamer? Just use a brake cylinder hone, a little slower but does a good job.

The bushings should be line reamed from one to the other. The proper reamer will have a long shank and will have a matching tapered collar to align the cutting flutes with the other busing. Can't do that reaming them individually or by using a hone.

Sounds like you were really lucky to end up with both bores on the same center line.

[Jerry Roberts]

The bent tie rod you can probably straighten with a bench vise . you might need a cheater bar .

[Rusty O'Toole]

Take off the front wheels with brake drums by removing the center cap and the big nut. Before you take the nut all the way off give the wheel a wiggle and the bearing will pop out.

Take the brake backing plate off the spindle and hang it from the frame. Use a wire coat hanger. Do not let the brake hang by the brake line.

Take the whole axle off the springs and take it to the auto machine shop. They will press out the king pins, remove the old bushings, press in the new bushings, hone them to size on their Sunnen hone, put everything back together and give you back your axle as good as new.

The last time I had this done it was under $100 but that was some time ago. In any case, money well spent and after all, you only need to do it every 50 years or so.

[austinsailor]

I take the spindles off the axle and to my local machine shop, costs $22 to install and ream to size.