solid axle king pin replacement

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Nov 2, 2009 | 07:29 AM

Log Hog Kust'em

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Tuned

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 417

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From: South Texas

solid axle king pin replacement

question concerning installation of new king pins. Following Ford's repair manual. After installing bushings, drive the new king pin in. A real tight fit. Problem is, as I drive the kingpin in to the lower bushing, the bushing is driven out. I will try using a large c-clamp to press it in tonight. Is this right or am I screwing up somewhere? Thanks for any help

Nov 2, 2009 | 09:13 AM

airharley

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Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,351

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From: Escondido, CA

It sounds like there is a inner diameter/slight misalignment issue to deal with. Some places that install king pin bushings also use a ream .0005 smaller than the king pin to make the holes perfectly round and align. If the bushing deformed a tad while being installed this may explain what you are experiencing.

Nov 2, 2009 | 11:48 AM

Bill W

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Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 11,564

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From: Tucson

I think the new bushings need to be reamed out to fit the pin, i just had them done... but on an I beam truck.

Nov 3, 2009 | 09:03 AM

BarnieTrk

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Stanton, Michigan, USA

LHK,
Are you installing metal or plastic bushings?

BarnieTrk

Nov 6, 2009 | 07:33 AM

Log Hog Kust'em

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 417

Likes: 134

From: South Texas

OK we can close this, Got it figured out. buy new king pin bushings, take the spindles off the axle. take them to a machine shop and let the ream the bushings. A little extra money is worth the learning experience? I doubt that this is the last one. Thanks for your help

Nov 6, 2009 | 08:22 AM

gritsngumbo

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Monroe, Louisiana

Not having a press nor a reamer (nor the skill set), that was my solution too! However, wasn't easy to find a machine shop locally that would/could do it. Bought the king pins and bushings from NAPA, dropped it off one day, picked it up the next. Think it was $60 for the parts and $100 for the install.

Nov 8, 2009 | 09:51 AM

Texas Jim

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Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 28

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When needing king-pin bushings, you need to get the new bushing installed and honed at a machine shop. My understanding is that the nylon bushings don't need the reaming, but I always went w/ the brass, which do. Nothing new.