Thanks for posting the picture of the tool kit along with the item number. I know I'll have use for one so I can look on Amazon or e-pay for one. At least I know that particular one will be wide enough. Later this year I'll be starting on my '56 after the '66 is done. I recently took a pitman arm puller which is relatively inexpensive and grinded the insides a bit to make it a little wider so I have a tool to press in pivot bushings. Works like a jiffy.

 

Done mine about 3 years ago, the old way, big hammer, wish I remembered about the tool we made while in the Air force, modified C clamp, this talk brought it all back!

 

Special Kingpin Removal Tool

 

Jlamb I don't know your location but I took mine to a tractor dealer and they put the bushings in for $20.00 if I remember correct they do it all the time and I had it a couple hours after I dropped them off.

 

Kidding aside, great tip by the OP and reference for future. Thanks.

 

My original idea was to go with the special removal tool too. Call me crazy but I talked myself into wanting to do it myself. A challenge and a little reliving of my youth when I tore everything apart all the time. My mother used to say "if I left my cars alone they would run better."

Anyway finished the job today and I only bled for a couple seconds. Although I'm sore and can't move, I feel good about it. Sense of accomplishment.

 

Well deserved, those look great!

 

I could have used this yesterday! But I still have one to go, so I will definitely get one of these. Thanks for the awesome pics.

 

I won't say my method is foolproof, but having done 4 sets for myself and 2 for a friend, I haven't wrecked anything yet. Good alignment, works quickly and is almost free. The dowel is about 1/8" smaller than whatever the pin is. The dowel is slotted lengthwise with a scrap pf 80 grit sanding belt inserted as shown. In later versions I have driven a deep socket onto the end of the dowel and drive it with a 3/8 socket drive in a cordless drill. A hose clamp keeps the dowel together at the other end. As the kingpins get close to fitting I normally switch to 120 grit. Of course check the fit often. When complete, mine typically drop down slowly under their own weight and engage the second bore once they are cleaned and some oil applied.

 

Aint fancy but gets er done! Like it.

 

I just took my spindles to a local old school guy and have them reamed. Should get back in a couple days. Wow I like your idea GB! I wish I had thought of that. Very cleaver!

 

Just so happens I did another set today. A half ton that I have been building into a woodie. Thing is I couldn't find my old slotted 5/8 dowel and I didn't want to make the 24 mile round trip to town to get one so I ransacked my wife's wooden spoon collection. Voila! A perfect 5/8" maple beauty. Slotted on the bandsaw, 5/8" deep socket to drive the whittled end of the dowel ((spoon). Upon completion they can be slowly wriggled in dry, but with a clean rag and some oil on them they slide in smooth as can be. I can't imagine they could fit better. As I have the front sheet metal off as well as the springs and axle I set the axle upside down and pounded the pins out easily. I also replaced all the spring bushings. I am very sore from all the heavy, dirty work, but it's coming along.

 

That is slick!! I got mine back from the small shop. They fit good and it cost only $20. I am happy, but if I had seen your idea before I took them over I would have tried it.

 

I just had to bring this to the top! WOW, talk about making the job easy. I remembered doing my 50 F1 and dreaded doing my 53 f100. I read this thread and decided who better to trust than FTE guys. I bought the tool rather than borrowing it but to sum it up, it took me about 2 beers and 45 minutes to do both spindles (and only because i took a break of 20 minutes between each one. What a great tool and a great find. For anyone that need to do king pin removal this tool is worth it's weight in gold. UPS dropped it off at 7PM and i had then out by 8:30PM. Worked just as Jlamb02910 described.

 

Only part I left out were the beers. Definitely need a few beers. Before during and after.
Glad it helped. Worked slicker then sh$% for me.