Is it the king pin?

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Apr 14, 2004 | 03:22 PM

Babin

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Is it the king pin?

Hello people! You're talking to a newbe.

I own a e-150 1987 with 550 000 km (about 344k miles). I had an accident recently. The right wheel was badly hit from the front while the wheel was turned almost full left. This happened when I felt in the ditch. The impact remove the tire from the rim and the rim is almost intact. Now the wheel is loose, with a play of about 1/8 around the pin bushing. I've done another 200 miles since the accident and the direction and suspention seems ok.

Here's my load of question:
- Is it king pins that I got on this van or is it ball-joints?
- Did the I-Beam took the shock and went loose or is it the bushing in it?
- Could it simply be the king pin bushing?
- If its the bushing in the I-Beam, can it be change or do I have to get a new one (or maybe get it refurbished)?

Thanks

Apr 15, 2004 | 02:06 AM

c96drumm

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From: Colorado, U.S.A!

You have kingpins. Try tightening the kingpin retainer. It's a tapered pin with a nut on one end, runs perpendicular to the kingpin. Grease the kingpins and see if it tightens up. If not, you probably need new pins and bushings. The bushings are not in the I-beam, they're in the steering knuckle.

Apr 15, 2004 | 07:52 AM

Babin

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Changing the kingpins

Thanks for the information!
Don't you think I should go directly to changing the pins? Both of them had a small loose before my accident and they are sold by pair...

Anyway I will try tightening. If I need to replace, can I do it myself?

Apr 15, 2004 | 11:39 AM

c96drumm

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From: Colorado, U.S.A!

The bushings need to be pressed in and reamed to size. I got mine done at the machine shop for 70 something bucks. The pins could be a real booger to get out, on my last one, I had to remove the axle and use heat and a hydraulic press to get it out. The one before that was pretty easy. Just have to see how it goes.

Apr 15, 2004 | 06:13 PM

Babin

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Thanks for the info.
Supposing that I can remove and replace the pins, can I go to the machine shop after with the van to get them pressed in or is it part of the installation process in wich I won't be able to use the van?
Another question: Last year I've called about 20 garages to see how much it could cost to change the pins. Some told me that I could have to get the axle hole refurbished before puting in the new pins. Is that true?

Apr 15, 2004 | 09:51 PM

c96drumm

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From: Colorado, U.S.A!

You take the steering knuckles in for the bushings, so the van will be out of action.
Unless the holes are damaged for some reason, the only thing they should need is cleaning. I've done 2 of these, no hole problems.
How much did the garages say they'd charge to do this?

Apr 15, 2004 | 10:17 PM

Babin

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The only garage that gave me a price was assuming that I had ball-joints (!). The job + the parts would have been 300 CAN$ (223 US$ today).
Thanks for the info. I'll give a feedback on this, the job should be done this weekend.