Tried a similar question in the steering/suspension section without results, seems to be more hard-core mechanics here with the inliners so I'll give you guys a try.
I've got a 1981 F100 ( inline ) I'm going to try to replace the king pins on the first part of November.
What I've got is a up and down motion makes a good rattle, there's enough play it's time to replace them.
under the spindle is that a spacer or is it a bearing ? I can't find a good description in my Chilton or Haynes book. Lmc has a nice picture in their catalog but no description. NAPA says it's a bearing
seems to be a big price difference in the kits, Auto Zone and Advanced are cheaper but they can't tell if it's a bearing or spacer.
Thanks for any help you give me or any advice on king pin removal and installation ( used up my search privileges )

 

That should be a bearing. To remove the king pins requires a hefty hammer, punches
besides what ever wrenches it may require and perhaps heat.
Jack up the front end and put stands under the axle as close to the end as you can.
You have to remove the caliper,and it's support, tie the caliper out of the way don't let it hang on the brake line. Take the rotor off, and clean up the spindle and axle end with a scraper. Now remove the nut on the draw key which goes thru the center of the axle eye and drive it out. Remove the o rings or steel plugs from the king pin which ever the caseay be. Now try to drive the pin out of the axle eye. It takes some very hard blows.
If it does not move I hit the side of the axle eye and that usually helps, some insist
you have to heat the axle eye. Except for very stubborn cases I won't do that, because I don't like the thought of changing the heat treatment of the axle eye. That
was removal. Installation is reverse after you install the new bushings,(remember to
align the grease holes in the bushing and have them reamed or honed). grease the thrust bearing and use the shims in the set to take up the up and down movement.
They go above the axle eye the bearing below. Install the new key (remember to keep the slot in the pin in line with the hole bored for the key. One more thing after you remove the pin and clean the axle eye take a new pin push it thru and grasp it
top and bottom make sure it isn't loose in the bore. If it is you wil lneed to have the eye sleeved. Finally wear safety glasses,the pins are hard, a missed blow can send out out flying pieces.

 

kotzy,

Thanks for the quick reply , it's nice to talk to someone who's been there.
I ordered the NAPA king pin kit, they have a machine shop that can ream the spindles and fit the new bushing.
Hope the kit comes with the shims to take out the up and down play
that's basically my problem spot.
Thanks again for the good advice on the pins , I've been in the habit of wearing safety glass whenever I tinker.

 

I was giving a look to my Ford shop manual 1991 and I found some configurations that include kingpins, Is your truck 4X4??? I had all detailed drawings but I don't know what exactly is for your truck...

 

javi2001,

My truck is a 1981 F100 Custom short box, 4x2 light duty...
would appreciate any help you could send my way...

thanks for your response

 

Kotzy pretty well summed it up. I'll just add to be careful teeing off on the old kingpins. On the ones that I have done the spindles are threaded on the top and bottom to accept the threaded cap that covers the kingpin and that the grease fitting screws into. When you get your new set you'll see what I mean. They are cast aluminum or pot metal with a hex head. I was careless on the first ones I did, and buggered the threads all up in the spindle. I had a heck of a time trying to get the caps to screw in. It really isn't really all that difficult.

 

Secondhandoats,

Thanks for your response, I was able to search the forum and found an old king pin thread.
The writer suggested removing the grease fitting and drilling out the old cap to a 1/2 inch put it back in the hole use it as a guide for your punch, then you'll avoid damage to the threads.
Sounds like a good idea, just thought I'd pass it along.

Thanks Again,

 

Sorry, I don't have info on that years models just from 1985 to 1996

 

I got the king pin kit, it came with the shims. Does anyone know where they should go ? I'm thinking under the thrust Bearing..or does it go on the top side of the axle under the grease seal ?
Won't have time to tear it apart till next week..
thanks to everybody for their help....