My new 64 panel has a front end issue common to these old girls............SLOPPY STEERING. Dangerously sloppy. She wants to dart off to the side if I hit a pot hole or bad surface. Not safe over 40mph at all.

So.........first order of business is a fix. I decided rather than just replacing what is bad...tie rod, drag link, king pins..........I'd be safe & smart and do it all. Be done with it and no worries later.

I've got a few estimates of maybe up to $500 labor if I supply the parts!!!!!!! EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a good wrench but have never done a set of King Pins.

Is this something a home mechanic can do?

What's involved step by step?

What kind of tools?

I don't mind the work if I can do it. Be a sense of satisfaction..........I'd also know it was done right and I'd save a bundle.

OPINIONS please. Especially from anyone that's done this job.



THANKS.

My steering was bad, too. turned the steering wheel for about 30°
and nothing happened.
checked my tie rods for play and the pitman arm (which was loose)
I started to replace the kingpins myself and just glanced at the shop manual. when I tried to put the new ones in i realized that I needed to have the correct size reamer for the bushings (they came 30 thousands smaller from rockauto).
So I took the spindles and kingpins to a machine shop ($40).
Really easy to put back together.
When everything was together i realized that the axle bushings for the king pins were worn out, too. I have yet to find a shop to replace these for a reasonable price.
Steers much better now, just a little play.

My question too!!!
Like where the axle fits into the spindle has a bushing?

I think I'll block mine up..have a good look see. Then likely go buy a torch, pullers & etc. Do it myself.

Worse gets to worse I guess I could take the axle to a machine shop and have the crap pressed out and in. then reassemble myself.

That should save a bunch plus I can clean and paint all this stuff before it goes back. Paint my belly pan and such too.

Hell, it can't be as bad as the half shafts I just replaced in my old Spitfire.

And I'll have new tools afterward and know it's all done right.


I also think I'll go with the nylon bushings as that will make it an easier job. And with proper maintenence they should last just fine.

Whatcha think?

Maybe take pics while I'm at it and post em for the next lucky person to do this.......<wink>

I think they might be referring to the washer/spacers that are between the axle and spindles (top and bottom).

I need to do this with my Chevy now and rebuild the spring like Donivan has.

Good Luck!
Rip

donivan65 wrote:The bronze bushings might just fit right in without any reaming,,,,I have not seen the nylon ones for your van yet,,,,,,the website is www.partsamerica.com home of the Checker/Kragen/Shuck/O'reiley /Murrays stores........

COOL.........I guess around my area Parts America is called "ADVANCE AUTO" I just found out. GOOD GUYS TOO!

Now if I could just locate a nice picture by picture instruction on doing King Pins and the rest.............................

YEP.....................

Total performance makes a stainless steel / plastic kingpin setup but only for the 61-63 axles. I have installed one set and they went together rasily, still had to ream the bushings though.
Fred