Topic: king pin


lautens    -- 03-22-2015 @ 1:02 PM
  what is the proper sequence and tools required to change king pins on a 37-41 front end?


kubes40    -- 03-22-2015 @ 1:27 PM
  This is a fairly "straight forward" type of job, nothing mysterious about it.
Of course, after removing the wheels, place the front end of the car securely upon good quality jack stands.

You'll need to remove the spindle of course. That requires removal of the brake backing plate. I would suggest you remove the backing plate as an assembly. That is, with the brakes, wheel cylinder and hose attached. Wire the assembly "up" (out of the way) so as to not place weight upon the hose.
Once the backing plate has been removed and moved aside you'll need to remove the tie rod end(s). I prefer a tool that presses these ball joints apart vs. a "pickle fork". A pickle fork will nearly always ruin the ball joint.
Now that you have the backing plate assembly and tie rod end(s) out of the way, you'll need to remove the spindle bolt (king pin). There is a special tapered bolt that goes through the axle and keeps the spindle bolt from turning. Remove that tapered bolt, nut and lock washer. This bolt nearly always comes out easily with a few blows of a 1# hammer. Use a drift between the end of the bolt and hammer if you plan on reusing the authentic bolt(s).
Remove both the upper and lower lubrication fittings from the spindle.
Now comes the sometimes "fun" part. The spindle bolt (king pin) is installed from the top - down. So, you'll need to remove it in the opposite direction.If you are fortunate, a few good blows from a 4# hammer with a solid drift (between the bolt and hammer) should move the bolt upwards and out of the spindle / axle.
If you are not fortunate and do not have a spindle bolt press, you'll need to get a bigger hammer

Once you have the spindle bolt removed, the spindle is now "free" of the axle.
The old bushings must be removed and new bushings installed. Pressing the new bushings in is simple and can be done in any decent vise.
The new bushings must be line reamed to a proper fit. If you do not have the proper "line" reamers to use, I'd suggest bringing the spindles, spindle bolts and bushings to a local machine shop for installation. Around here, the cost is about $75 to install and align ream bushings on both spindles ($37.50 per side).

Reassembly is opposite of the above...
With experience, this entire task takes about three hours. Without perhaps double???
Regardless, this is a task anyone with decent mechanical skills can handle at home.
Mike Kubarth


len47merc    -- 03-22-2015 @ 2:35 PM
  lautens - Mike's numbers are on the mark. Performed this within the last year and the machine shop's costs were $75 here in central NC.

Just a suggestion - while you are at it with the king pins, if you have not already, might as well hit it all as it's not that expensive in total. Sway/torsion bar bushings, drag link, tie rod ends, radius ball bushing, et al, will button your front end up nice 'n tidy for not much $'s &/or effort. James @ JobLot can ID and provide everything for you at a reasonable price.

Steve


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