All -please help!

Our band van has conked out on us! Here's what happened:

I posted some high resolution pictures of my problem (dial up users - this page will take a while)

http://www.thatguyonline.com/thatvan.htm

A bearing exploded in the front Passenger-side wheel. Loud crunching noise was heard. I disassemlbed the entire while assembly, only to find that the steering knuckle seems to be impossible to remove. The piece of metal that all of the bearings slide onto (don't know the official name) is damaged and needs to be replaced. This piece of metal seems to be connected to the steering knuckle. However, I can't get the damned knuckle off. I'm sure someone's had some experience with this. How do I get the knuckle off?

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help. We're starving artists and can't afford to take this thing to a shop.

Thanks so much,
Dan of ThatGuy

 

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The shaft the wheel mounts on is called a spindle.
1. First you need to remove the tie rod. Get a hammer and just smack the tie rod end on one side, then the other, and it should loosen up and come out. Don't smack the top threaded part, it may distort the threads and that's trouble.
There are tie rod end pullers especially for this, but I've had trouble destroying threads with them too. There are also forks but IMHO they do not work as well and usually destroy the rubber boot.
2. Remove the top and bottom kingpin grease caps. They have a hex bolthead like 1" across on each one and a grease Zerk fitting in the middle. I believe the pic indicates you at least have the top one off already.
3. There is a bolt on the suspension side that goes through a notch in the kingpin which must be removed before you can tap out the kingpin. In the picture I believe you have removed the nut but not the bolt! Remove it.
4. Tap out the kingpin. Do not use a screwdriver to do this, the threads for the cap and/or the bronze sleeve may be damaged. Use a wooden dowel. Actually I have done it with a short screwdriver than went straight down, not at an angle, but the dowel is a much better idea.

One the kingpin is free the knuckle can be removed. Pay close attention to the presence of any shims or spacers around the kingpin in between the knuckle and suspension. Be sure to pump in grease onto the reassembled and tie rod end right away.

I'd replace the rotor too of course. Otherwise the bearings could be scored and rip up the new spindle. The book says you should replace the rotors in pairs, but I can say that it will be fine IF you have the remaining rotor turned. Otherwise your brakes will pull to one side.

At least that's the way it is on my E150.

 

I have done this job a few times myself. Like DannyM says above make sure you remove the dowel that goes into the side of each king pin.

Since your vehicle is an 82 the kingpins are probably corroded in place. I would soak them for hours with WD 40. Apply some heat with propane torch now and then and soak with more WD40. In order to break the corrosion, Tap the kingpin up, then tap it down, back and forth, over and over. It may take a long time to get them loose. I remembe my arms aching during and after everyone of these jobs. Don't be afraid to really bang on the king pin with a heavy hammer. I use an old steel dowel for this. Keep your tool in the center, so you don't distort the edges of the king pin making it harder to come out.

 

All - This is fantastic help. Thanks so much! I will be fixing it this coming weekend, so if I run into trouble I"ll be back on here with more pictures and requests. I think I understand exactly what you're telling me to do.

I also did some research on the "pickle fork" and I agree with you about the shredding bushings. I'll give it a few good whacks and try to salvage everything I can.

Thanks again for your time in helping me out. I'll let you know how it all goes.

ThatGuy Dan

 

Try PB Blaster instead of WD40. I was a WD40 fan until trying to do ball joints on my explorer. WD40 wouldn't cut it, PB Blaster worked wonders.

 

Ok - the advice you gave me was PERFECT and I was able to get the damaged spindle and knuckle off of the van - THANK YOU SO MUCH.

Now I can't find a damn replacement knuckle! I went to Advanced Auto Parts and called a couple local Ford dealers. No one has that part! I don't have the first idea where to go to find a Steering knuckle on an '84 Econoline 150. Can someone help with this too?

I'd prefer not to go to a junk yard and spend another 4 hours removing one from a junker van. Are there aftermarket replacements for these things, or am I going to be calling salvage yards all over America looking for it?

Thanks again!
Dan

 

ThatGuy Dan,

You can find it at Rock auto. I noticed it was listed under suspention rather than steering parts. You can probably get one from NAPA as well. You will need to know if you have nylon or metal bushings to order the part.

https://www.rockauto.com/applet.html

Gene

 

Yeah I've got two calls into those guys (Rock Auto). They seem to have the part but I'm weary that it's not the correct piece. I'm weary because I only need the passenger side knuckle, but no specific side is listed on the part description (below). I have a hard time believing that they would send me BOTH knuckles if I only needed one of them.

One of the nice ladies at Rock Auto is trying to find a picture of the part to verify if this is even the knuckle, of it's only the kingpin, etc.

I read the below description as : "you get a bolt, a steering knuckle KING PIN with a Nylon/Metal bushing".

Should I be reading it as "you get a bolt, a steering knuckle, a kin pin, a cap, and a nylon/metal bushing"? If so, how do I know which side it's on?

<table class="main"> <tbody><tr class="catalogpart0"><td>ACDELCO Part # 45F0118
BOLT,S/KNU KING PIN CAP -; FRONT; NYLON BUSHING {#88911920}</td><td class="right">
</td><td class="right">
</td><td class="right">
</td><td class="center">
</td></tr> <tr class="catalogpart1"><td>ACDELCO Part # 45F0114
BOLT,S/KNU KING PIN CAP -; FRONT; METAL BUSHING {#88911916}



P.S. - this website is awesome. I've been reading old posts all day long and I now know a TON of new stuff about my new (old) van! Thanks to everyone that contributes!
</td></tr></tbody> </table>

 

You did the right thing by calling them, but if it gives you any measure of comfort I placed an order with them a few months ago that had close to 20 items on it and all of them were shipped promptly and were the correct part. Admitidly, I spent more time studing that order than I did when I looked up your item.

It's hard to say exactly what the listing means. It looks to be just a bolt by the way it reads but in the sub menu prior to that one it said "steering nuckle" and the price seems pretty high for just a bolt. The second part of the discription "FRONT; NYLON BUSHING" I beleive describes what type of original construction your van has. Keep nagging the nice lady and in the mean time, I would call your local NAPA as well. They may be able to get it quicker for a few dollars more.

Gene

 

STOP RIGHT THERE!
That is a kingpin kit, not the knuckle! This will only replace the verticle axle (kingpin) the knuckle turns on, not the damaged horizontal spindle.

Let me tell you now I already went through this, my '87 E150 had the knuckle actually crack apart and dropped off the brake caliper. I looked for a week or more. The dealership discontinued them years ago and no parts store carried them either. I talked to every store in town, like 6 different chains. It is just plain not available new, they don't make them. And after looking a few places you can easily conclude they're not being made anymore because nobody's going to go to the trouble to do a production run and then only sell to just one parts store and ignore all the other mainstream stores.

The only option here is a junkyard. Or eBay. The risk is they may not take dilligent care in removing that kingpin and send you one with damaged threads or bronze sleeve (been there, got ripped off). Have them check that the bearings did not seize on the one they have before going down there to pick it up (got burned here too) and be very clear on which side you need (been there too).

 

*****, *****, *****! This sucks!

DannyM - Again, THANK YOU for your help with this.

Does anyone know of a comprehensive listing of Junkyards somewhere on the internet? I've looked and have found some listed, but only here and there. I'm located in Virginia right outside D.C. and don't mind paying for shipping if someone has the part in Alaska. I probably need a big list of Junkyards considering most of them probably won't have it.

Help?

 

Sorry for the bad info Dan. Like I said, I took a quick look at their listings and found what at a glance looked like what you needed.

You can go to a local junkyard in your area and they will be on a network of other junkyards. They used to call it the hot line and it was a private channel radio setup throughout the region. I think most of them are using the net now to make their inquiries.

Also, if you Google your part by name you will get a number of responses for a locater system that you pay a fee to use that is similar to the professional network that I mentioned above.

All of the cautions that Danny gave you are good ones. Describe your part carefully and make sure you can return it if it isn't right.

Good luck,

Gene

 

I looked closely at your photos, Your steering knuckle doesn't look that bad to me! Is it just discolored? or is the material removed.

You may also consider bringing your steering knuckle to a machine shop and have them asses the damage and estimate a repair. There are several different repair methods available. Expect to make a few phone calls to find out which shops can do this.

More on junkyards- If you look in the yellow pages for your area, you should be able to find plenty of junk yards. I have purchased many many parts from junkyards, with excellent success. Just bring all the used parts with you in a box, kinpin bushings, dust shield and compare apples to apples! They should be willing to work with you. If you get an attitude from them, grab your stuff and leave. Most junkyards depend on repeat business, and offer good ustomer service.

You can expect decent customer service from the machine shop as well. If people aren't considerate of your business, find another business that is!