Resizing a Kingpin Boss?

I did a search and couldn't find any info on resizing king pin boss. I have an A axle that I drilled, but the driver side boss is worn out. Is there any way to repair it or do I have to look for a new one? thanks
Justin

 

I had the same problem in a 34 Axle. Was advised that my only options were to find another axle or have a over size King Pin & Bushings Custom made. Called a few shops and was far cheaper to find another axle.

That was about 3 years ago, more options may now be available.

 

measuring with a caliper , how bad is it worn? what spindles are you using on it? i have seen.010 oversize kingpins offered for the later square spindles..McQuay Norris # KA126010

you could then ream your axle end .010 oversize to .823

 

You can have it machined bigger, and an insert pressed in. Then ream that out to .813. Not cheap, but any machine shop is capable of it.

 

Worn king pin boss's are a fairly common problem on heavy trucks. We have a local guy who bores them out and press's in a hardened sleeve the correct size.He comes to the shop and does the work with the axle still in the truck.I doubt that he would have anything small enough for your axle,but we have smaller axles done at a machine shop.It is not terribly costly,but I cant recall exactly how much.

 

seals-it a company in ct makes a kingpin adjustable kit that may save your axle. the kit can be used to adjust caster and camber in a straight axle.........sealsit.com should get you there.......give them a call and ask for Skip

 

They sell over sized king pin kits .005 .010 and soo on,

 

It's worn enough that it shakes the entire vehicle, so I'm afraid ten thou ain't gonna cut it. I'm going to a tech school in MO to become a machinist, so the pressed in sleeve might be a doable idea. I didn't know if there was some easier way. I figured I'd ask the experts before I jumped in head first.
Justin

 

I know a local guy that re drills his axles and runs 70s Ford disc brakes on them!

 

I'm in north west PA. And have the same problem. Can u get me his number its worth a try!
what a bout heating it up to shrink it? or drilling it bigger and puting king pin bushings in it?

 

There has been a postr on here on shrinking them.

 

Ok now listen up, as long as the boss bores have not been all wallowed out by stretching the axle or a severe crash, here is a quick low buck fix that will cure your king pin boss problem. Now remember the king pin does not rotate when installed in the axle the king pin lock keeps it in place and tightens it against the axle boss body so just because it wiggles when you push the pin in doesn't mean its going to wiggle when the king pin lock is drawn down.

By simply drilling and tapping a hole slightly above the horizontal mid point of the axle boss for a 1/4" set screw you can take all the wiggle out of a king pin boss. No extra machine work simple done deal, the set screw tightens the king pin to the axle boss to take out any additional play. I know it sounds crude but it works perfect.

 

Look here
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355972&highlight=repair+kingpin

and here
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272713&highlight=repair+kingpin

 

Going through this now. My machinist friend and I came up with a low cost solution. The plan is to first whittle a wooden dowel down to .010" or so smaller than the king pin, then use JB weld to cement the dowel in, and if necessary, glue in some formed sheet metal shims for extra support. Then, after the JB Weld cures, remove the wooden dowel by drilling, and then ream and or hone the remaining hole to a precision fit. My 1950 Jeepster with a narrowed ford econoline axle was only driven 250 miles last year, so the repair should last my lifetime. I considered the set screw solution, but it looks like the removal of material to drill and tap the axle end would weaken the axle eye too much. I must say I appreciate the heating and re-forging solution. That's basically how they're made when new, no?

 

It's not difficult to shrink kingpin eyes by welding. I've done quite a few axle eyes this way. overlapping stick or MIG weld beads laid on from top to bottom of the axle eye will cause the kingpin eye to shrink; plenty of current and high heat input will result in the best degree of shrinkage on cooling. Then after fettling the welds I just ream the holes back to the correct size. Here's a couple of photos (unfortunately not good quality) of the axle eyes on my avatar car where the pins were a sloppy fit.

 

I miss ****'s insight and the old fashion fixes that he shared. We are losing so many and the things that they could teach us all. I'm nearly 67 and built Hot Rods most all my life, and I've been blessed to learn from my older peers' years and years ago.
God Bless them all.

Share your knowledge.

 

Same here.

 

Don't some of the people that drop axles also shrink the kingpin holes? IIRC they heat the axle cherry red, and then hammer the outside of the kingpin boss to close the hole. when the axle cools, they then ream the kingpin hole to the correct size. .813 I believe.

 

McMaster car carries hardened drill rod in many sizes. get a 3 ft stick just over the size of the hole in the axle and make your own king pins.