I'll be tackling my king pins in a week or so, I already have the kit but don't have a reamer. I can get access to a set of adjustable reamers but they are not piloted and I'm worried about alignment. Likewise a lot of people have said they use a brake hone tool but that has the same problem. Does anyone know where I can get the correct reamer and what size it is (I'm away from home so can't measure it)? The truck is a 49 F3. Thanks.

 

They show up on eBay occasionally. I think we ought to buy one and re-sell it around the forum to anyone who needs it, like our own Loan-A-Tool program!

Mine were done by the local NAPA machine shop using a Sunnen hone that was apparently long enough to not need a pilot. They use it for all the truck spindles that come in. You are correct tho, both bushings need to be reamed simultaneously (i.e., piloted somehow).

 

I know this is old fashioned, but I used a brake hone and just counted how many times I reamed.... Took about 30 minutes per spindle. It can be done this way. (just slow)

 

BTW, I did this last weekend.

 

I took my spindles to an automotive machine shop and they honed them with a wrist pin honing machine. it only took five minutes per spindle and $25.

 

Made my own reamer out of the old pin



Joe

 

That's not a bad idea, how did you get the grooves sharp enough to cut the bushings though?

A machine shop would be ideal but I live in a small town and would have to drive several hours to the nearest shop capable of this work.

 

I used a dremel you only have to cut soft metal

the key thing is the bushing are in line when done

Joe

 

You might check with the local Ford dealer, too, the same reamer was used for years.

 

I rescently found the reamer I needed with pilot on e-bay. Type in kingpin reamer. I hope this helps you.

Glenn

56 F100
Copperas Cove, Tx

 

I did my F-600 the same way,

Only it was a regular alignment/frame repair facility and they used a Sunnen Honing machine. They obtained the complete 0.010" oversize kingpin kit from Rareparts in Ca.

When it went back together, the steering operated better than new!!