On early Ford kinpins, should the bearings be packed before install or do they get lubed via the zerks when pumped through the bushings?
I've never used one of those roller bearing setups, but I have heard they aren't as good as one would think . Not sure why, but that is just what I have heard. Don
SSBC has a set that are nearly 100.00 [from memory] more than speedway's which might make them better....I think the outer bearing shell may be too thin to take the pounding, causing the needle bearings to mark the shell and make it deteriorate, probably fine in the lighter cars..
Roller bearings for kingpins present as a solution looking for a problem. I'd rather replace a two dollar bushing. When I look at big, old pieces of machinery like spinning lathes the shafts are running on babbit – not giant needle bearings. Add to that the time I've spent as a bicycle mechanic replacing headsets on road/triathlete bikes that became "indexed" from long straight miles on rough roads and you can keep needle bearings where they belong – Auto Union crankshafts!
I always pre lube everything. Grease like water will always take the path of least resistance. I have removed kingpins that one side was wornout and one side with plenty of grease. I always jack the front end up and turn it lock to lock and grease it like that. As far as the bearings, I know that bearings want to roll. Bearings that only move slightly, wear out faster than bearings that have hard use. A front end that only turns slightly might wear out the needle bearings. I like bushings for early Ford front ends.
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