I'm in the middle of Kingpin replacement as well. My spindles are in the shop now getting the bushings pressed in and reamed. They should be done any day, and when I pick them up, i'll talk to the machine shop manager and ask him about this. Looks like you did everything i'm about to do too.
+6
jkr
Digz
Twinpilot001
RodStRace
donivan65
kiwimopar
10 posters
Who's done Kingpins? Need input/advice
equium- Number of posts : 107
Location : Cameron Park, CA
Registration date : 2011-04-25
mikeysly- Number of posts : 284
Location : Durango and front range CO and Delaware valley
Registration date : 2012-05-29
Digzs! Donivan! Twinpilot! what is the name of that c-clamp/press kingpin removal tool? harbor freight has a sale for a few more hours and i should jump on it! Thanks!
Digz- Number of posts : 3794
Location : United States Six Lakes MI
Registration date : 2008-05-17
It's a Ball Joint press i think.
equium- Number of posts : 107
Location : Cameron Park, CA
Registration date : 2011-04-25
I got my spindles back today; i'm sure glad I had them done by a professional. $77 bucks and they fixed the hatchet job i did taking out the old bushings, installed new, and reamed and honed with my new pin. Oh, and they even hot dipped 'em so they're cleaner than when I dropped them off.
For the gentleman whose kingpins are having troubles after 1000 miles: I asked the shop manager and he said there could be any number of things going on. He said if the alignment geometry is off, that could put undo wear on the kingpins. sorry i couldn't come home with a magic answer for you.
For the gentleman whose kingpins are having troubles after 1000 miles: I asked the shop manager and he said there could be any number of things going on. He said if the alignment geometry is off, that could put undo wear on the kingpins. sorry i couldn't come home with a magic answer for you.
equium- Number of posts : 107
Location : Cameron Park, CA
Registration date : 2011-04-25
Uh. Guys. I was just pulling my old kingpins out of my parts washer and noticed the notch doesn't quite match up. Anyone else run into this? what do I do? Machine a new notch?
I just re-checked the rockauto website picture for the kingpin set and the picture shows the correct pins. My box has the correct Raybestos part number, but the pins are wrong. On hold with Rockauto now. wow, I just can't catch a break! lol
I just re-checked the rockauto website picture for the kingpin set and the picture shows the correct pins. My box has the correct Raybestos part number, but the pins are wrong. On hold with Rockauto now. wow, I just can't catch a break! lol
equium- Number of posts : 107
Location : Cameron Park, CA
Registration date : 2011-04-25
They're going to refund me, but since I already installed the bushings, I have to order another set and use those bushings to return the first set. confused yet? so am I. they did tell me that there is no history of returns on those parts, so it just might have been a fluke. On my way to order another set. wish me luck.
Gothboy- Number of posts : 714
Location : So Cal Baby!
Registration date : 2012-07-02
You guys are really scaring me. Im gearing up to do my front end in the near future and now... Im worried about DIY and even more worried a shop might F it up...
We dont know a pro do we?
We dont know a pro do we?
equium- Number of posts : 107
Location : Cameron Park, CA
Registration date : 2011-04-25
I was nervous at first, but everyone around here is a good resource. I'd would have a machine shop press out and install the new bushings as well as ream/hone them to match the replacement Kingpin you get in your set. Before you go through all that, first verify the axle hole where the Kingpin goes through is not wobbled out. Once you remove the spindles, clean off the old pin and it should fit snugly in the axle hole. If it wobbles, you have a problem. Be sure your machine shop has the equipment to ream/hone BOTH ends of the spindle at the same time. This ensures the kingpin will align on both ends.
Grease kingpins when the vehicle is off the ground; this takes the stress off and allows grease to get everywhere. Another great resource on kingpins is the forum over at the sweptline.com site. They have about 10x more kingpin messages than we do.
Grease kingpins when the vehicle is off the ground; this takes the stress off and allows grease to get everywhere. Another great resource on kingpins is the forum over at the sweptline.com site. They have about 10x more kingpin messages than we do.
equium- Number of posts : 107
Location : Cameron Park, CA
Registration date : 2011-04-25
I got the correct pins in dropped the spindles off at my machine shop because the new pins are a bit tight. They're not going to charge me since it will only take them a few minutes. It's nice to get great service. I'll keep you posted on the re-install.
Murdock- Number of posts : 313
Location : Seattle, WA
Registration date : 2010-12-29
I just did my front end last winter and it wasn't too bad. Just take your time and read the shop manual thrice, attack once. Lots of information on here was super helpful as well. I also spoke with a heavy truck mechanic who had some good tips.
I 100% agree on having a shop do the ream for you, its worth the piece of mind. New king pins should go in without much trouble. I took mine to an alignement shop as soon as it was back on its wheels. I used a tape measure to get the toe-in as close as possible (I was within 2 degrees) so I could get it there safely.
Someone on here mentioned greasing the pins every 1K, doesn't seem like a bad idea. Good luck, you'll enjoy the ride once your done.
I 100% agree on having a shop do the ream for you, its worth the piece of mind. New king pins should go in without much trouble. I took mine to an alignement shop as soon as it was back on its wheels. I used a tape measure to get the toe-in as close as possible (I was within 2 degrees) so I could get it there safely.
Someone on here mentioned greasing the pins every 1K, doesn't seem like a bad idea. Good luck, you'll enjoy the ride once your done.
kiwimopar- Number of posts : 738
Location : New Zealand
Registration date : 2010-01-23
It was over 3 years ago when I replaced my King Pin bushes, and they have just been done again. I used what was sent to us in the box with my truck....nylon/Teflon bushes. Biggest mistake ever. Within about 2,000 miles, the bushes were flogged out and there was too much play in the front end. So out they came again, and off to a local machine shop specialising in suspension work. The guys there installed new bronze bushes, and reamed to size. Perfect mow, and what a difference it makes to the handling of the truck.
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