The Ford Barn

stickshift · 12-18-2023, 12:52 PM

I'm ordering parts for the front steering for my 1915 touring and I noticed that Snyder's and Lang"s have replacements with oilers rather than a grease fitting like what I have now. It looks like someone added the grease fitting to make it easier? My question is: Is the grease fitting a good idea, or oiling better. I would think gear oil would be better that 30W...am I right or is a lighter oil better? Only the spindle bolts have the zerks, the tie rods have the flip-up oiler, which I never noticed before because they blend in with the bolt.

J Franklin · 12-18-2023, 01:28 PM

The Zerk fitting is incorrect if you are building a show car. You can ad a fitting if you chose. All that is needed is good lubrication be it oil or grease.

29spcoupe · 12-18-2023, 06:00 PM

Oil is better than grease. The tolerance between the king pin and the bushing is only a few thousands. It takes much longer for the grease to travel down the king pin and you risk scoring the metal. It is much better to oil more often.

stickshift · 12-18-2023, 09:33 PM

Thanks for the feed-back. I know the spindle bushings need to be reamed to .5 inches. Can this be carefully done in a drill press with a .500" drill bit? Or does the $125 reamer need to be used. I don't want to spend that kind of money for a tool I will only use once. I've done this before with the .500" drill bit for my fan bushings and it worked out good.
Thanks.

29spcoupe · 12-19-2023, 07:32 AM

The king pin bolts are .500. The bushings need to be reamed to .504. I rebuild spindles as a side line and can do yours for $140 plus shipping. PM me and I can give you the details. The price includes me supplying the king pins and bushings.

stickshift · 12-19-2023, 08:22 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

29 Spcoupe, Do you need the spindles sent to you to do the work ?
Thanks

29spcoupe · 12-19-2023, 09:12 AM

I can do your spindles for $140 or I can supply the spindles for an additional $30. If you send your spindles, they must be clean.

redmodelt · 12-19-2023, 02:01 PM

Because of how the lube system works on the T kingbolts, grease isn't a good choice. The only hole is up in the upper bushing so grease really is only getting to that area. Lots of people use chain bar oil or 600W to lube the springs and king bolts.
There is a process to reaming the bushings, they have to be done in alignment with each other. Using a drill can work but best would be to have a ream that lines up both cuts. Also, the tops of the bushing may need to be faced to fit in the yoke and be flat.

12-18-2023, 01:28 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,966	Re: Spindle bolt replacement question The Zerk fitting is incorrect if you are building a show car. You can ad a fitting if you chose. All that is needed is good lubrication be it oil or grease.

12-18-2023, 06:00 PM	#3
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 762	Re: Spindle bolt replacement question Oil is better than grease. The tolerance between the king pin and the bushing is only a few thousands. It takes much longer for the grease to travel down the king pin and you risk scoring the metal. It is much better to oil more often.

12-18-2023, 09:33 PM	#4
stickshift Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Grass Valley, Ca Posts: 247	Re: Spindle bolt replacement question Thanks for the feed-back. I know the spindle bushings need to be reamed to .5 inches. Can this be carefully done in a drill press with a .500" drill bit? Or does the $125 reamer need to be used. I don't want to spend that kind of money for a tool I will only use once. I've done this before with the .500" drill bit for my fan bushings and it worked out good. Thanks. __________________ Stickshift 1915 Model T touring 1931 Ford Model AA Flatbed

12-19-2023, 07:32 AM	#5
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 762	Re: Spindle bolt replacement question The king pin bolts are .500. The bushings need to be reamed to .504. I rebuild spindles as a side line and can do yours for $140 plus shipping. PM me and I can give you the details. The price includes me supplying the king pins and bushings.

12-19-2023, 08:22 AM	#6
stickshift Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Grass Valley, Ca Posts: 247	Re: Spindle bolt replacement question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 29 Spcoupe, Do you need the spindles sent to you to do the work ? Thanks __________________ Stickshift 1915 Model T touring 1931 Ford Model AA Flatbed

12-19-2023, 09:12 AM	#7
29spcoupe Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Rhinebeck, NY Posts: 762	Re: Spindle bolt replacement question I can do your spindles for $140 or I can supply the spindles for an additional $30. If you send your spindles, they must be clean.

12-19-2023, 02:01 PM	#8
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,342	Re: Spindle bolt replacement question Because of how the lube system works on the T kingbolts, grease isn't a good choice. The only hole is up in the upper bushing so grease really is only getting to that area. Lots of people use chain bar oil or 600W to lube the springs and king bolts. There is a process to reaming the bushings, they have to be done in alignment with each other. Using a drill can work but best would be to have a ream that lines up both cuts. Also, the tops of the bushing may need to be faced to fit in the yoke and be flat. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!