king pin replacement tips and tricks

[gufnstuf]

hello every body. i have had my 38 dodge D8 for about five years and i need to replace the king pins on it (badly).  i have taken it all apart and understand how everything works(mine has needle bearing uppers), but i have a few questions about what is the best methods for reassebly and if you need the shims in it do you put them above or below the bearing?

 

which way does the bearing face? is the joint opening to face down? (keep dirt out)

 

i have the original reamer with the dirver, but is there a better way to get that torrington bearing in?

 

any tips or advice will be greatly approeciated.

 

i hope to turn this to a tech write up with pictures.

 

thanks

[1940 Dodge VC]

I'm working on the same thing.  Replacing kingpins.  You are ahead of me.  Mine are apart and now I have the job of pressing the old bushings out, pressing new ones in and reaming.  The bearings on mine had the flat portion of the inner race facing down, between the lower bushing, the shims and the axle.  This is the order, from top to bottom: Upper spindle, I-beam, bearing (with the outer race up), shims, lower spindle.  Dust caps were fitted on the top and bottom and punched in.  

 

I found some helpful advice on the following site:  http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/kingpins.cfm

 

BTW, if you are replacing kingpins, have you looked into www.rustyhope.com about doing a disc brake swap?  I picked up the kit a little earlier this month and am excited to get it swapped out for the old drum brakes.  My wife's excited, too.