Hey guys I'm trying to take the king pins out of the front end. Was wondering if anybody has any tips to make it easier...its a 56 f100
Thanks
Dan

 

Hi Dan,

I don't have any experience with a '56...but I did attempt to help remove them from a friend's truck using common household shop tools. Gave up on that and called for reinforcements. That meant some guys from down the road who had bigger tools, drills and torches and didn't care if they broke anything I wanted to stay intact. A couple of hours later there were tools and beer cans all over the driveway, the neighbors were scared to look out their windows and dogs were barking at all the pounding noise.
The pins came out in pieces and new ones were fiercely installed in their place.
Quite an ordeal.
I'd say rent a commercial piledriver and get it over with quickly.

Sorry I couldn't be of specific help to you...but it is a job that must be done with lots of patience, extreme heat and with a first aid kit handy.

Tom
.

 

Pull the lock bolt out of the axle, and drive the pin out from the bottom. Use a big brass drift to keep it from mushrooming into the king pin bore. All they do is drop in from the top, so drive 'em out from the bottom. If the wheels turn left to right, they're not too froze up, so they should come out without too much trouble. I have yet to need a torch to remove king pins, and have changed out more than a few sets.

 

Ok thanks. Was messing around with it last night,if the spindle moves freely with one finger should I change the kingpin.

 

It's not about that. Put a tire back on it, assuming it's off, and grab the tire at the top and bottom. Move it back and forth, and see if you notice the play in the king pin. You may even be able to see the spindle moving on the king pin.