I just put the bushings in the spindles and they seem really tight for the pins. I found out that I need to ream them.

 

Yep, new kingpin bushings always need to be reamed to fit. They need to be reamed accurately and squarely. Unless you have access to the proper reamer, it isn't really something you want to try to do in your driveway. It's best to pull the entire axle out and take it to a machine shop. If they aren't busy, they might be able to do it while you wait.

 

In the picture is the reamer you will need to finish the job.

 

A few years ago, I took my front axle to
American Frame & Alignment Inc in Kent Wa and had them get me a kingpin kit.


Since my front axle had some corrosion they had to get a +.010 over size kit and ream the holes to fit.

They set the axle up on a Sunnen hone to do it instead of using a hand-held hone and the job came out perfect.

The kit was something like $150 and the labor was about $150. I took them the disassembled axle and I took it all home and put it together myself.

It was well worth it! The steering is perfect and will probably last for another 50 years!


Cheers,


Rick

 

Well I got a reamer off of e-bay for $18.44 delivered to my house. It is for Ford's.

 

I got my reamer I won off of e-bay today. It work's great, did one well do the other tomorrow.