I have my whole truck apart and i have the front axle ***embly still ***embled but off the truck. I figured since I am rebuilding and replacing just about everything, I thought it would be best to replace the king pins. Well I didn't know the bushings had to be reamed or honed. I don't have those tools and I have called many shops local to me and none will do it. Are there any kits that you don't have to do this? I have heard of a nylon bushing kit but not sure if that would be any good. Any suggestions?
Where did you buy your kingpin set? ... they will usually rent out a reamer or even a rental yard will. This is a good time to go with a dropped axle.
Any auto machine shop should be able to do the job. Take the axle with spindles, and the king pin kit. They can press it apart on their press, replace the bearings and hone them to a perfect fit. I'm surprised you can't find a shop that does them. If all else fails ask a truck repair shop, they are the last vehicle with straight axle front suspension.
I replaced the king pins on my Econoline. I didn't have a reamer so I used my wheel cylinder hone. The bushings were about .002 smaller than the pin. It took a while for the hone to remove .002 but the fit was perfect when I was done. A hone will give you a better fit than a reamer according to other posts I have read.
They make different size hones ( different manufactures ) so when you go looking for one, take your bushing with you to make sure the hone is small enough to go in the bushing. I walked out to the shop to see who made mine and it is a CRAFTSMAN. But I have probably owned it 20 yrs. Don't know if they still sell it. Probably get one for under $ 20 bucks.
i just visited the so cal speed shop a week ago on my honey moon in cal, a bunch of real cool guys! a little small talk and i got the grand tour. give them a call and tell them where you live, i bet they could help.
Any hand held electric drill will work. They have three small spring loaded stones ( like a knife sharpening stone ). Look on YOU TUBE , " Wheel Cylinder Rebuild " . There is a pic of one in the video..
We're in San Diego, we do it all the time at True Line. I even make special king pins for off road cars. Takes a long time with a wheel cylinder hone. We have adjustable reamers that we use for that.
It may have worked for you and one or two others but this is not the method people are trying to describe . If you were to measure it,I mean really measure it with a bore guage you wouldn't even use them. Have it done at any engine rebuilding shop that has a sunnen rod hone. If you were closer I would have you send it to me,35 bucks a pair I get. Reaming is a good alternative.
Econoline kingpins are not the everyday run of the mill size . It uses a special size . All of the kingpins made now are made wrong . The keeper grove is cut too deep letting the pin move in the axle . Herb.
Find a pin kit and spend the money and buy the proper reamer. Once your done with the job just sell the reamer at a swap meet e-bay or here on the Hamb. Every time I try to go cheap I end up doing it twice. It isnt a complicated job. I have seen other posts here on how to do it properly. Did mine a few years ago and they fit beautifully. Moog 8455T appears to be readily available for about $50.00. Ebay has like 14 on now. Dave
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