Kingpins????
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
I can't tell you if an '86 250 has kingpins or not but, I can tell you how to check 'em!
All you have to do is jack up your truck in such a way that your tire and wheel assembly isn't affected by spring pressure. In the case of a Ford with twin I-Beams, you can just jack up the truck until the wheel is off of the ground and wiggle the tire top and bottom to find any play.
In my case (an '86 F150 2wd) I had the truck on jack stands (the wheels were hanging) while I was installing the engine. I pushed out on the bottom of the wheel and saw the play in the lower 'ball' joint.
I also have a 2000 Explorer. It has a torsion bar connected to the lower control arm. In order to check that one I had to put my jack under the lower control arm to 'relieve' the spring pressure from the wheel.
All you have to do is jack up your truck in such a way that your tire and wheel assembly isn't affected by spring pressure. In the case of a Ford with twin I-Beams, you can just jack up the truck until the wheel is off of the ground and wiggle the tire top and bottom to find any play.
In my case (an '86 F150 2wd) I had the truck on jack stands (the wheels were hanging) while I was installing the engine. I pushed out on the bottom of the wheel and saw the play in the lower 'ball' joint.
I also have a 2000 Explorer. It has a torsion bar connected to the lower control arm. In order to check that one I had to put my jack under the lower control arm to 'relieve' the spring pressure from the wheel.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
From: MN.
neb 86 is correct, but I'll just add if your thrust bearing is shot you can get a snap or pop when cornering..
When truck is secure on jack stands place a bar under the wheel, lift in upward motion, observe thrust bearing if the spindle moves up and down the king pin and thrust bearing need replacement.
So up and down movement as well in and out movement indicate problems.
When truck is secure on jack stands place a bar under the wheel, lift in upward motion, observe thrust bearing if the spindle moves up and down the king pin and thrust bearing need replacement.
So up and down movement as well in and out movement indicate problems.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, WA
Not only do they loosen, but they also freeze! To check that you knock off the tie rod and try to rotate the spindle...you will be able to tell if it is frozen, I have seen some you can't even turn manually. Frozen ones are the worst to work on, they don't come appart without a lot of force. They also make popping sounds when you turn.
Kenny
Kenny
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 14,941
Likes: 4
From: North of Normal
So far I don't have any noise coming from my front suspension.The problem I'm having is when I go around a curve or make a turn the front of my truck feels like it's going to rollover.so far the tie rods and balljoints feel tight.Any Ideas?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, WA
How about the radius arm bushings? They will make it feel very weird, especially under braking. Usually you get a thump out of them when you change direction (stop to forward, stop to reverse, etc).
Kenny
Kenny
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 14,941
Likes: 4
From: North of Normal
Originally Posted by mudgepondexpress
How about the radius arm bushings? They will make it feel very weird, especially under braking. Usually you get a thump out of them when you change direction (stop to forward, stop to reverse, etc).
Kenny
Kenny
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