Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Kumho

King pin check

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 26, 2009 | 12:56 PM
  #1  
Green Streak's Avatar
Green Streak
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Wallaceburg On.
King pin check

I just picked up a 78 f150. I have an annoying wandering issue with the steering. I don't have a good history on this truck and am trying to check out any possible causes but I don't know what I'm looking for when it comes to checking the king pins. How long do these king pins last? The only issue I ever had with king pins was in a 78 parts truck and they were in there so tight I couldn't budge them and was unable to even turn the wheels.The steering moves freely just too much play.
Thanks in advance
Greg
 
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2009 | 08:31 PM
  #2  
dogguira's Avatar
dogguira
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
If you have a lot of play check the rag joint and the steering box.
 
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2009 | 12:24 PM
  #3  
Lazy K's Avatar
Lazy K
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
Likes: 10
With wheels straight, lift the front up so that tires are clear of the ground. Get a helper to grab the tires at 12 oclock and six oclock and rock the wheel as hard as he can. You get under and look for any movement in the king pins. Excessive play in the wheel bearings will show up at this time also. Get helper to move his hands to 9 oclock and 3 oclock and rock the wheel again and you look for play in tie rod ends. Repeat at other wheel.
This would also be a good time to shoot some grease into the king pins.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 04:25 AM
  #4  
Bender99's Avatar
Bender99
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Your f150 has ball joints, not king pins.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 04:57 AM
  #5  
NumberDummy's Avatar
NumberDummy
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 784
From: Simi Valley, CA
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Bender99
Your f150 has ball joints, not king pins.
Where in Post #1 does it say anything about the OP's F150 having 4WD?

D5TZ3111A .. King Pin Kit / Fits: 1975/79 F100/150 2WD.
 
Reply
Old Jan 7, 2010 | 02:28 PM
  #6  
Bender99's Avatar
Bender99
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 490
Likes: 0
Sorry, I always assume everything is 4wd lol.
 
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2010 | 08:47 AM
  #7  
wdfp's Avatar
wdfp
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 778
Likes: 2
From: southeast Idaho
And pump the grease in while someone turns the wheels back and forth, it will help a lot..
 
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2010 | 05:26 PM
  #8  
Green Streak's Avatar
Green Streak
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Wallaceburg On.
I took your advise and got a friend to help. I used a lot of heat and grease and they are free and smooth to drive now. I suspect the truck sat for some time before I bought it. Thanks for the responces.
Greg
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Kierobi
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Jan 5, 2016 10:32 PM
79Supercab
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Apr 15, 2015 11:06 AM
hdunlap
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Oct 25, 2012 08:01 AM
Marky48170
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
May 5, 2012 07:45 PM
brewers78handdown
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Apr 17, 2002 01:49 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:50 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE