The Ford Barn

48Flyer · 05-26-2012, 07:39 PM

I was planning on replacing the kingpins (spindle pivot shaft) on my 51 Mercury today. After removing the old bushings, cleaning the spindles and pressing in the new bushings, I find that the kingpins are .025 bigger than the inside bushing diameter.
This is the first time I have attempted this job on an old Ford or Mercury and am hoping to get some ideas from experinced folks.
What type of fit should the shaft/bushings be? Certainly not a pressed fit as they do pivot.
What can I do now?
Thanks

jimvette59 · 05-26-2012, 07:44 PM

You will need to ream them to a snug fit. Bring them to a machine shop or buy a expensive reamer and do it your self.

48Flyer · 05-26-2012, 08:32 PM

Anyone know of a reamer that will work? or want to loan out one I can use?
Car is stuck up on jackstands now!
Thanks

Lawrie · 05-26-2012, 08:39 PM

Best job you will get ,is take the stub axle with new bushes installed and the king pin to an auto machinist and have him hone the bushes to fit.
Lawrie

jimvette59 · 05-26-2012, 08:47 PM

I second that emotion Lawri. Take the spindles and king pins to a auto machine shop and have them fitted. Jim.T.

48Flyer · 05-26-2012, 09:04 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Just found this. Wouldn't this be the correct tool?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290628289353
Trying to avoid removing the entire stub axle right now

Henry/Kokomo · 05-26-2012, 09:10 PM

That appears to be the correct tool. If you have the front end apart - and apparently you do - I'd vote for having the job done by someone who's done it previously. Chances are, you'll not need to install another set of king pins and the cost of the reamer could be put toward paying an experienced machinist. Chances are you'll be happier with the results if you've not used a reamer before. FWIW.

51 MERC-CT · 05-27-2012, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrie

Best job you will get ,is take the stub axle with new bushes installed and the king pin to an auto machinist and have him hone the bushes to fit.
Lawrie

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimvette59

I second that emotion Lawri. Take the spindles and king pins to a auto machine shop and have them fitted. Jim.T.

Sorry fellas but the king pin bushings on a 51' Merc. are in the spindle supports not the spindles. And are normally reamed on the car.

bbrocksr · 05-27-2012, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 48Flyer

Just found this. Wouldn't this be the correct tool?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290628289353
Trying to avoid removing the entire stub axle right now

Yes, that's the correct tool. Get one and do it yourself. Its not difficult, just go slow and easy and you will have the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
Bill

jmaotto · 05-28-2012, 01:16 PM

I can remember back in the day, I used a rat tail file and inserted it through the bushing. Then with the tire and wheel on their side rolled the bushing with the file inserted until the bushing fit the king pin.

05-26-2012, 07:39 PM	#1
48Flyer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North of Minneapolis, MN Posts: 160	Kingpin HELP!! I was planning on replacing the kingpins (spindle pivot shaft) on my 51 Mercury today. After removing the old bushings, cleaning the spindles and pressing in the new bushings, I find that the kingpins are .025 bigger than the inside bushing diameter. This is the first time I have attempted this job on an old Ford or Mercury and am hoping to get some ideas from experinced folks. What type of fit should the shaft/bushings be? Certainly not a pressed fit as they do pivot. What can I do now? Thanks

05-26-2012, 07:44 PM	#2
jimvette59 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perry OH Posts: 1,330	Re: Kingpin HELP!! You will need to ream them to a snug fit. Bring them to a machine shop or buy a expensive reamer and do it your self.

05-26-2012, 08:32 PM	#3
48Flyer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North of Minneapolis, MN Posts: 160	Re: Kingpin HELP!! Anyone know of a reamer that will work? or want to loan out one I can use? Car is stuck up on jackstands now! Thanks

05-26-2012, 08:39 PM	#4
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,215	Re: Kingpin HELP!! Best job you will get ,is take the stub axle with new bushes installed and the king pin to an auto machinist and have him hone the bushes to fit. Lawrie

05-26-2012, 08:47 PM	#5
jimvette59 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Perry OH Posts: 1,330	Re: Kingpin HELP!! I second that emotion Lawri. Take the spindles and king pins to a auto machine shop and have them fitted. Jim.T.

05-26-2012, 09:04 PM	#6
48Flyer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North of Minneapolis, MN Posts: 160	Re: Kingpin HELP!! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Just found this. Wouldn't this be the correct tool? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=290628289353 Trying to avoid removing the entire stub axle right now

05-26-2012, 09:10 PM	#7
Henry/Kokomo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kokomo, Indiana Posts: 1,731	Re: Kingpin HELP!! That appears to be the correct tool. If you have the front end apart - and apparently you do - I'd vote for having the job done by someone who's done it previously. Chances are, you'll not need to install another set of king pins and the cost of the reamer could be put toward paying an experienced machinist. Chances are you'll be happier with the results if you've not used a reamer before. FWIW.

05-28-2012, 01:16 PM	#10
jmaotto Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 15	Re: Kingpin HELP!! I can remember back in the day, I used a rat tail file and inserted it through the bushing. Then with the tire and wheel on their side rolled the bushing with the file inserted until the bushing fit the king pin.