Typical loose steering questions
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New User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Texas
Typical loose steering questions
Hey y'all. I'm new at this (just bought a '71 with PB, PS, A/C, 360...) and I have the usual wandering steering. I've heard the king pins are the culprit, but how do I go about fixing the problem? Should I start with the steering box first? I've heard there's a bushing there that could be replaced.
If I DO need king pin bushings, is that something I can do myself? - I'm moderately capable with mechanics. If there are some websites that show how to do the repairs, that would be cool as well.
Thanks in advance for any leads or info.
Effie 100
If I DO need king pin bushings, is that something I can do myself? - I'm moderately capable with mechanics. If there are some websites that show how to do the repairs, that would be cool as well.
Thanks in advance for any leads or info.
Effie 100
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Before you start adjusting the box, let's look at some other things. First off what kind of shape it the rag joint in? (the soft coupler between the gear and column)
Second tires, rotate the tires and make sure their inflated up to pressure.
Jack the front wheels about three inches off the ground, with your hands under the bottom & top, try to rock the wheel. That wil give you some idea about kingpin play, next side to side for tierod ends.
You are checking fit in the small moving parts?
Have you added any grease to the moving parts?
John
Second tires, rotate the tires and make sure their inflated up to pressure.
Jack the front wheels about three inches off the ground, with your hands under the bottom & top, try to rock the wheel. That wil give you some idea about kingpin play, next side to side for tierod ends.
You are checking fit in the small moving parts?
Have you added any grease to the moving parts?
John
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
If it's worn kingpin bushings, unless you have the proper kingpin reamer you'll have to farm out reaming, then your stuck with their quality control on how sloppy the ream job is. Have had machine shops that reamed loose more than the old worn out bushings, hence purchased my own king pin reamer (special reamer with pilot guide). Don't do the nylon replacement, fast and dirty and they don't last.
Carl....=o&o>....
Carl....=o&o>....
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 146
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From: Murrieta, CA
Shooooooot, Beemer Nut, I've got to send mine out to be reamed. (Disk Brake Conversion) How can you tell if they did a shabby job?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Most shops will use a Sunnen hone to inlarge the bushings. They look like a monkey holding on a paint shaker. When done the outer bushing ends will be bell mouthed. If they use the pin to check the fit, it will be full of oil and stone grit. Once cleaned of grit the pin will be loose as well as the pin all scratched up and the soft bushing material impregnated with grit particles. With the proper king pin reamer that has a long pilot on one end which has a tapered cone to align the reamer center thru the opposite bushing you will have concentric bushings. Starting with a tight clearanced bushings leads to many trouble free miles, like over 940,000 miles and installed only 2 bushing kits. Others have different opinions on king pin hone jobs, so be it.
Carl....=o&o>....
Carl....=o&o>....
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Michael S. Palmer
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 14
From: Travelers Rest SC
My '70 F100 had 250K miles when I rebuilt it, and the king pins were the only thing that WASN'T worn out. The radius rod bushings were gone, allowing the axles to float front to back. One tie rod end had a loose stud; the ball wasn't worn out, but the stud was loose where it pressed in to the ball. It could have simple dropped out! I rebuilt the power steering box, too. I put in new king pins and bushings because I had already bought them, but they really weren't bad. So check everything before you open the wallet.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
FL; sounds like you did normal preventive maintenance during your normal oil changes like spending a few minutes to wipe the zerks and adding a shot to the joints. Simple job for the front suspension and driveline that adds hundreds of thousands miles. People complain about loose front ends and their zerks are under 20 years of road dirt with rust coming from the joints.
Carl....=o&o>....
Carl....=o&o>....
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
Likes: 4
From: "Islander"
Rainbow; at least someone like you understands about the pilot reamer, thanks. Now the bad news, I purchased the reamer from a family friend that my dad knew in the 40's, I paid $25 for the reamer and it's like brand new, he purchased it in the mid 70's. I think the bushing bore is .860" on my 68 CS. You'll have to get on the net to locate one, sorry I can't help ya.
Carl....=o&o>....
Carl....=o&o>....