King Pin Removal

troy_fb · Post by **troy_fb** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:02 am

Right, I'm at that point of screaming again. Why does this regulary happen when working on something that hasn't been opened, loosened or removed in 47 years?

I'm am trying to replace king pins as per the instructions in the manual, ie without removing the steering knuckle and support. I have removed the cotter pin and plugs but cannot for the life of me bash out the king pins. They are seized inside the steering knuckle support. My outer pivots seem fine so I am reticent to remove these and possibly encounter similar problems plus have to do wheel alignment etc.

I have tried CRC, heating steering knuckle support with a MAPP gas torch, supporting joint underneath while beating the crap out of it, abusive language etc. Does anyone have any suggestions or do I just have to bite the bullet and remove the whole things and take them to somewhere to have then pressed out? What are others experiences with removing the bushes once I get the kingpins out? Are they easy to remove or do they need pressing out anyway?

Any advice gratefully received.

FB MAD · Post by **FB MAD** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:23 pm

I was going to suggest you try CRC,heating the steering knuckle support with a MAPP gas torch,supporting joint underneath while you beat the crap out of it, abusive language etc but I can see you've already tried CRC,heating the steering knuckle support with a MAPP gas torch,supporting joint underneath while you beat the crap out of it and abusive language so will have to suggest something else

.

How long has the CRC been soaking the kingpin for??

Try leaving it to soak a few days with occasional heat and knocking out with a drift and see if it moves.

Has the kingpin moved at all??

Your pretty much doing what I would do but if you don't have any luck you may have to bite the bullet and pull the knuckle assembly out and get the kingpin pressed out.

Go find a couple of cardboard boxes and when you get to the point of wanting to smash something in frustration,take it out on the cardboard boxes instead of the car!!

Yes, sounds stupid but it works for me!!

I'll think of other ideas in the meantime and maybe another forum member may be able to suggest something else.

Let us know you it all goes,

Terry.

troy_fb · Post by **troy_fb** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:07 pm

I soaked it overnight and still no go.

I have just rung all around Hobart and no one wanted to know about pressing it out bar one place. So I am going to go ahead and pull it all out and have another go myself first in a vice. It might help if I have a firm surface and with the joint more accessible. Otherwise off to the engneering works.

I have pre-reamed kingpins to replace old ones with. The engineering works reckons that they still won't be correct and will still need reaming. Is he full of sh!t or are the pre-reamed ones useless? I was just hoping to be able to put in the new gear, grease her up and go.

I also rang a couple of places and have yet to find someone with the correct tools to do a wheel alignment too. You guys on the mainland seem so well resourced for specialists compared to down here. I would be interested to know how many early holdens exists in Tas. You don't see many on the road but who knows about whats in peoples sheds hey.

I'll now go see about some cardboard boxes to help get the job done.

Troy

rosco · Post by **rosco** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 3:02 pm

Hi Troy,
can't help with this one - haven't done it - mine are now ball joints........

I'm going to fly the flag again. have you thought of posting to the moderator in the Tas section of this forum................?
We met up with a few down there - they must know where to point you..........

frats,
Rosco

oldnek · Post by **oldnek** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 6:49 pm

Troy

The best advise I can give is to remove the complete steering knuckle and stub as one unit, then press the pin out from the bottom up.
I can pretty much bet that the pin is galled on the thrust washer or washers or even where the cotter pin was sitting, and when this happens I have found hitting the pin from top to bottom is almost impossible until something else gives.
Impacting the pin continually also can, in effect mushroom the pin on the seized area and make it even harder to remove.
Once the pin is out it is pretty easy to replace the bushes. Make sure the bushes are fit parallel to the stub or they will go in at slight angle making the new bushes wear prematurely
Reaming of the bushes will be required after installing, and have them slightly on the tight side, as wear and bed in will happen quite quickly. Hope this assists you.

Regards John

FB MAD · Post by **FB MAD** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:49 pm

And also,

When fitting the bushes make absolutely sure that the grease hole in each bush aligns with the grease hole in the knuckle because if it doesn't, the kingpin won't be able to be greased and therefore won't last very long at all before seizeing.

When you get to the point of reaming the bushes take VERY small cuts with the reamer because if you cut too much you will make the kingpin fit too loose and there will be play in the kingpin which is what you don't want.Take your time with the reamer,don't be in a hurry or you will have to try and get new bushes

.

Terry.

rosco · Post by **rosco** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:02 pm

To the archive with this when everyone's done..............

frats,
Rosco

troy_fb · Post by **troy_fb** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 2:02 pm

Thanks everyone. I eventually removed the steering knuckle and support and took them to the engineers where they pressed out, reamed and then installed the new ones for me (not too expensive in the end).

Now found the that both the lower and upper out pivot pins/bushes are knackered too. Anyone know of somewhere to get these that is cheaper than Rare Spares price of 54.95 each!!

FB MAD · Post by **FB MAD** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:37 pm

Just had a look at www.americanautos.com.au and they have listed:-

FX-HD Lower outer pivot pin and bush $46.95

FB-HD Upper outer pin and bush $47.85

A bit cheaper than Rares but it would pay to call both suppliers to make sure the prices are current and they have them in stock.

I've managed to pick them up here and there over time on youwillpay ( Ebay) for cheaper but I guess that you want them straight away to get your car on the road.

Good to see that you got the kingpins out.You usually find the pivot pins seem to be OK looks wise and appear to have no movement but once you pull them apart the true story of their overall condition comes out.

Hope that all helps,

Terry.

troy_fb · Post by **troy_fb** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:38 am

Yes, the pivots appeared and felt fine before removal but once 47 years of muck were cleaned off them they shrunk and there was heaps of play. I am now hoping that after 16 years of loose and erratic steering it will drive like a dream.

I managed to get a couple of upper outer pivots off evilbay for $23 each and then went to AmericanAutos as suggested for the lower ones. Thanks Terry.