King pin 'failure'
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King pin 'failure'
Did the king pin thing on my 64 only 2-1/2 years ago - 4000 miles ago. Replaced the spindles, new tie rod ends, bearings.
Got wiggle now - and it appears they king pins went bad - can see the movement. Haven't talked to the machine shop that honed the bushings, but the guy that did the work says I shouldn't have used brass - use nylon next time.
but why and how do these things 'go bad' this quickly? the original 39 year old ones were ok - I just had bad spindles.
Any opinions on why king pins go bad??
Monty
Got wiggle now - and it appears they king pins went bad - can see the movement. Haven't talked to the machine shop that honed the bushings, but the guy that did the work says I shouldn't have used brass - use nylon next time.
but why and how do these things 'go bad' this quickly? the original 39 year old ones were ok - I just had bad spindles.
Any opinions on why king pins go bad??
Monty
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Well then - any ideas on WHY this happened? I had worn out front leaf springs (flat, no arch left) and bad shocks that I didn't replace till last summer - so I drove it about 3500 miles on those worn out springs/shocks. A couple of loads of dirt in the back, rock one or two times.
the reason is that I don't want to do it again, if it happens again. They were greased when they were installed, and about 2000 miles later - I just didn't notice the wobble until recently - only 4000 miles since. No telling when that happened.
Monty
the reason is that I don't want to do it again, if it happens again. They were greased when they were installed, and about 2000 miles later - I just didn't notice the wobble until recently - only 4000 miles since. No telling when that happened.
Monty
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,081
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From: Central Texas
cub, I have to agree with the others that they should last for a looooooong time. Aside from what has been mentioned, do you know what condition the pins were in? If they were rusted and pitted and not replaced then the pits left from any rusting would increase the wear, but i think that may be reaching a little. Seems like there is something amiss here, I doubt you could have damaged them via worn shocks, etc.
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Bad axle??
The bearings were so bad on the truck, that they 'welded' themselves to the spindle, and ruined it. So I replaced both spindles (knuckles) - and sad to say, though I have the original spindles, I didn't save the king pins. I was busy at the time, and had someone do it - he doesn't remember the condition of the king pins either. I didn't consider it that important at the time - I was focused on the knuckles, bearings, tie rod ends, brakes.
It is very possible that the truck was driven a long long time on bad king pins and it could have damaged the axle. I dont' want to put new king pins in a bad axle again. if that is what it is.
It is very possible that the truck was driven a long long time on bad king pins and it could have damaged the axle. I dont' want to put new king pins in a bad axle again. if that is what it is.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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A guy at work was surprised he had bad king pins. Considering he lives on a long rough dirt road and he is fond of jumping curbs I don't know why he's surprised.... 
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Monty, Your truck could be damaged or badly out of aleignment. From what you have posted so far, those failures are caused by neglect. Either by you or POs.
Should the whole front end be out of whack replacing some parts and not all could cause extra stress on the new parts, leading to premature failure.
good luck
John
Should the whole front end be out of whack replacing some parts and not all could cause extra stress on the new parts, leading to premature failure.
good luck
John
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From: Davenport, IA
I don't know what kind of conditions you drive in, but one grease in 2-1/2 years is a bit slim. I grease my front end at least every 3 months, even if I don't drive it much.
Also, what do you consider wobble? Like John said, with so many worn parts, expect to see premature wear. Since the rest was neglected, I would think the axle would be worn out too - I would think the shop would have let you know that before installing pins. Our company shop guidelines for replacing an axle: more than 1/4" play at the rim AFTER fully greasing. That's a lot of play at the tread ungreased!
Also, what do you consider wobble? Like John said, with so many worn parts, expect to see premature wear. Since the rest was neglected, I would think the axle would be worn out too - I would think the shop would have let you know that before installing pins. Our company shop guidelines for replacing an axle: more than 1/4" play at the rim AFTER fully greasing. That's a lot of play at the tread ungreased!
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