kingpin question
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Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
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kingpin question
in my 87 e350, the kingpins have been squeaking while steering for awhile, and tonight i got down there with the grease gun.
what i found is that the lower cap on the right side is MISSING. otherwise they aren't in too bad of shape.
a quick search of oreillyauto.com shows a whole kit but not the cap by itself, so my question is: is the cap available by itself, or am i stuck with buying who whole kit - or picking up the cap at pick-n-pull
also, i've read here that the kingpins are a devil to work on. but really, how bad are they??
what i found is that the lower cap on the right side is MISSING. otherwise they aren't in too bad of shape.
a quick search of oreillyauto.com shows a whole kit but not the cap by itself, so my question is: is the cap available by itself, or am i stuck with buying who whole kit - or picking up the cap at pick-n-pull
also, i've read here that the kingpins are a devil to work on. but really, how bad are they??
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
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At any given time virtually anything may be "available" on eBay.
Do you have objections to the expediency of "picking up the cap at pick-n-pull"?
It's quite likely a majority of people might conclude "the kingpins are a devil to work on". However IMO, having replaced both, Econoline kingpins are considerably less of "a devil to work on" than the balljoints that followed them.
IF your kingpins aren't "in too bad of shape" they should be relatively easy to replace. IF your 25 YO "kingpins have been squeaking" w/o lube for "awhile" too long, they'd be more likely to seize in place from rust, or be deformed, inhibiting removal. But these are robust parts where the axiom; 'Never force it, just use a bigger hammer' is applicable. Worst case scenario? Remove I-beam & place in hydraulic press.
Tip: Don't try to push most maligned end thru. Drive from other end.
Do you have objections to the expediency of "picking up the cap at pick-n-pull"?
It's quite likely a majority of people might conclude "the kingpins are a devil to work on". However IMO, having replaced both, Econoline kingpins are considerably less of "a devil to work on" than the balljoints that followed them.
IF your kingpins aren't "in too bad of shape" they should be relatively easy to replace. IF your 25 YO "kingpins have been squeaking" w/o lube for "awhile" too long, they'd be more likely to seize in place from rust, or be deformed, inhibiting removal. But these are robust parts where the axiom; 'Never force it, just use a bigger hammer' is applicable. Worst case scenario? Remove I-beam & place in hydraulic press.
Tip: Don't try to push most maligned end thru. Drive from other end.
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Postmaster
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well i stopped at pick-n-pull today, and the only e350 they had left was missing the kingpins and spindles, so i picked up a cap from a 79 F350 and i'll see if it works. if not, i'll hit another yard. i think it'll be fine for now, as just greasing the ones i could silenced them.
you know, its interesting - i've had several ball joint trucks and vans apart, and never had too much of a fight. so if kingpins are easier than ball joints, that shouldn't be bad at all
you know, its interesting - i've had several ball joint trucks and vans apart, and never had too much of a fight. so if kingpins are easier than ball joints, that shouldn't be bad at all
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And "i've had" the luxury of "having replaced both" kingpins & ball joints on Econolines. As a result, I don't need to speculate.
IMO there's no ifs, ands, or buts about it -"Econoline kingpins are considerably less of "a devil to work on" than the balljoints". You'd have to encounter unusual kingpin problems to make this not so.
Don't know if these parts interchange between '79 F350 & '87 e350 off top of my head. Do know nobody ever suggested Greased For Life ball joints were more durable than kingpins. Opinion has been quite to the contrary. It appears to be an article of faith that kingpins can last almost indefinitely, provided they get regular lubrication.
Ask yourself "how bad" is that? If you never have to work on them how can they be "a devil to work on"? You may find that greasing yours has made them good to go?
Don't know if these parts interchange between '79 F350 & '87 e350 off top of my head. Do know nobody ever suggested Greased For Life ball joints were more durable than kingpins. Opinion has been quite to the contrary. It appears to be an article of faith that kingpins can last almost indefinitely, provided they get regular lubrication.
Ask yourself "how bad" is that? If you never have to work on them how can they be "a devil to work on"? You may find that greasing yours has made them good to go?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
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From: Maryville
The best kingpin service kits have brass bushings, I've heard there are some that aren't brass, and don't have the same durability, if you keep them greased, you'll have no problems, don't, and you'll notice the return lags, or is non-existent after making a turn.
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Last time I went looking for "The best kingpin service kits" my regular parts guy recommended MOOG & the bushings were bronze. FORD service manuals also mention bronze kingpin bushings & the old bushings were also bronze.
Haven't encountered them, but have heard about plastic kingpin bushings, made of either Nylon & Delrin.
Have read there are needle bearing conversion kits available for some applications.
Haven't encountered them, but have heard about plastic kingpin bushings, made of either Nylon & Delrin.
Have read there are needle bearing conversion kits available for some applications.
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Postmaster
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the cap i picked up fit, so now everything is properly lubed and everything appears to be good for now. i'll have to get in the habit of greasing these more often
for replacing them, MOOG is the ONLY brand i would trust.
and FWIW, the only difference between my van and the truck i borrowed that cap from is a difference in kingpin length of 0.040", according to specs from oreillyauto.com
for replacing them, MOOG is the ONLY brand i would trust.
and FWIW, the only difference between my van and the truck i borrowed that cap from is a difference in kingpin length of 0.040", according to specs from oreillyauto.com
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,033
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
Yeah, trucks and vans don't interchange, I'd like to check out some needle bearings for my 73.
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