King pin spacers
 

In reading Les Andrews red book and other comments on threads relating to adding spacers under the thrust bearings the general advice is you are supposed to add enough of them to eliminate any gap. So would anyone be able to shed just a bit more light on the specifics of how they decide if it will require one, two or more spacers?

Re: King pin spacers
 

The purpose of the spacers is to shift all the load on to the thrust bearing so there is no load on the spindle between the lower pin bore and the axle. The usual practice is to add shims under the bearing until the bearing can no longer be rotated by hand when an upthrust is placed on the spindle axle shaft. There should be a small gap between the lower spindle bore surface and the axle. If not done correctly stearing will require more effort and wear will occur at the spindle/axle contact surfaces. HTH

Re: King pin spacers
 

The reproduction bearings are the reason why shims are needed as they are too thin. I have a few sets of NOS ones so I ended up using them with no shims.

Re: King pin spacers
 

See attached document.

Tom Endy

Re: King pin spacers
 

Great information gents. Most appreciated.

Re: King pin spacers
 

I remember shims being included with king pins back in the sixties.
Paul in CT

Re: King pin spacers
 

If the roller bearing is not supporting the vertical forces, the king pin lock bolt and its hole in the axle take a beating.

Re: King pin spacers
 

I found some shims from Rock Auto when I did my AA king pins. They are larger than A king pins on the ‘30. I used original thrust bearings but still needed .010” to 020” shim. Got a pack of 20 that were .005”.

Re: King pin spacers
 

Little confusing for my ageing brain. Am I correct that on checking previously installed king pins with the car weight on the ground am I good with a gap above and below the spindle and axel, and the bearing will not rotate by hand?

John

Re: King pin spacers
 

Recommend minimum gap above the spindle since excessive gap will allow the spindle assembly to translate vertically. Might jack up the front end under the axle and then see if you have vertical play on the wheel. The effect of excessive gap will be obvious.

Re: King pin spacers
 

Any chance you have a part number, I did a search at Rock for .005 shims
but didn't get any hits.