Frontend questions

[38plymouth]

I'm getting ready to pull the front axle and leafsprings on my 38. While I'm doing this I want to make sure everything is tight. How do I check the kingpins?

Are the axle perchs welded to the axle? I don't see any welds but I think they are supposed to be welded on.

[Plymouthy Adams]

if this is a straight axle the perches are forged into the axle on all that I have seen...(parallel leaf app.)

[38plymouth]

It is a straight axle. They perchs look a little different than any others I have seen or worked with.

[Young Ed]

Dang I thought I had a good picture of my truck straight axle but the axle is hidden behind the front frame member. Anyway on the truck there are basically just 2 wider spots that have the 4 bolt holes for the U bolts and a locating hole for the spring. I believe your car should be the same.

[38plymouth]

My car has actual perchs on it. They look different, they seem a little more "curvy" than some I've used in the past. I looked a little better and they do look welded. Here's a crappy picture.

[Merle Coggins]

Looks like the cars used a round axle verses the I-beam type on the trucks.

Ed's description of his axle sounds like mine. This isn't a close-up of that area, but you can see it.

[38plymouth]

Any tips on how to correctly determine if there is play in the kingpins? I tried moving the wheel back and forth and I don't feel anything wrong, I do have some play in the steering box though. I want to make sure everything in the front suspension is tight while I'm doing this so I don't have to take it apart again later.

[bobby horne]

.......... Jack the car up with a floor jack under the axle at the leaf spring, and check for any kind of movement, up or down, left or right. My 38 has a little movement up and down, but not bad enough to work on at this time.

[38plymouth]

I have the axle and springs out of the car now. I didn't find any play in the kingpins. I did notice the "shackles" that hold the springs have a little play in tyhem. They are kind of odd, I cleaned them all up and have to put them back into the frame to see if I can tell what was wrong there. 70 year old grease is messy stuff.