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I'm thinking that before I start bolting my '53 F-100 back together that maybe I should replace bushings at my leaf springs and king pins. I understand that the king pin bushings have to be reamed. Is this something that I can do with the proper tools, or is it better just to take it to a machine shop? And, are the leaf spring bushings simply a matter of driving the old ones out and installing new ones, or is there machining that goes along with that as well? For both the king pins and springs, I intend to replace any/all pins, as well as the bushings. Any comments or advice with regard to any of this?
All the new bushings will have to be reamed, the spring ones can be done easily at home with either the correct sized fixed reamer or an adjustable reamer. The king pins require a piloted reamer to be done correctly, it is cheaper and easier to take the spindles to a machine shop and have them done on a Sunen hone.
Pressing bushings and reaming to the correct size is certainly not rocket science and is something most of us here are capable of doing, with the proper tools, just as you stated. Since most of us don't have a press and reamer tools, which would likely cost more to procure than the job would cost if you took it to town, it does make sense to do as much as you can yourself, then take the specialty stuff to the people with the tools and experience to make sure it's done right. My 2c.
I agree with ac and Wayne. I reamed mine myself but would send it out if I had to do it again. Also make sure that those kingpin bushings really need to be replaced. It is easy enough to check with the front end jacked up.
The spring bushings can also be very stubborn to remove so again make sure that they really are in need of replacement. Just because they are old doesn't mean they are bad if they have been lubed properly.
Replacement spring eye bushings for 53-56 do not require reaming. Also replace the shackle pins and links if worn (likely). Mid Fifty sells a removal tool that makes removal easier.
I used a pulley and a socket to press out one bushing at a time. To install the new bushing I used a large c-clamp. Tools needed pulley, c-clamp, bottle jack, socket slightly smaller then bushing OD, ratchet or wrench to crank pulley.
Using this method I was able to replace the bushings without completely removing the leaf springs. Like others said I would also replace the pins.
