King pin quality

[Tacoma Bob]

Which vendor is selling the best king pin sets. I know there were problems several years ago and plenty of complaints. I'm finding out my front axel is twisted. Frame and axel shops are scarce here in the Seattle area so I may try to find another axel at our clubs big swap meet this weekend. I figured I might just as well opt for new king pins while I'm at it.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Tacoma Bob

Which vendor is selling the best king pin sets. I know there were problems several years ago and plenty of complaints. I'm finding out my front axel is twisted. Frame and axel shops are scarce here in the Seattle area so I may try to find another axel at our clubs big swap meet this weekend. I figured I might just as well opt for new king pins while I'm at it.

I assume you trucks there (sarcasm)- a heavy vehicle front end specialist should be able to sort your axle very quickly. I had a twisted axle on one to my cars and recently bit the bullet and fixed it. A hot rod shop did it almost while I waited. I dropped it off on the way to a swap and it was ready when I came back afterwards.

[Kurt in NJ]

I think there is still a toledo set on the swap section, the last toledo set I bought had ford script kingpins that had most of the "FORD" ground off ---i just looked, not there, but there are NOS by Chuck Kuntz, the kit of small parts can be bought seperate (bushings and felts etc)

[Tacoma Bob]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

I assume you trucks there (sarcasm)- a heavy vehicle front end specialist should be able to sort your axle very quickly. I had a twisted axle on one to my cars and recently bit the bullet and fixed it. A hot rod shop did it almost while I waited. I dropped it off on the way to a swap and it was ready when I came back afterwards.

A club buddy and I each spent a total of 3 hours plus making phone calls with no luck. One shop is willing to take a look and if they can't do it on the car they said they could "probably" do it if I take the axel out. May have to check a hot rod shop....Good idea and thanks!

[Tom Endy]

Quite often all you need to do is replace the bushings. The pins themselves are hardened steel and if they are not worn or grooved because of lack of lube they will work just fine with some new bushings. The bushing are a soft material and is usually all that wears. I found king pins at swap meets for a few bucks that looked serviceable. You can easy tell by feel once you have the new bushings in place and either reamed or honed. Done a bunch of them that way.


Commercial shops like to sell you a king pin job that includes new king pins when all that is needed is new bushings.


Tom Endy

[KR500]

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Tom, I agree bushings if anything should be replaced, reamed, and honed. I never use a solid non-adjustable reamer, but rather a Critchley style. Also true of the bushings in the bell housing. I also consider the thrust bearing important. They suffer out in the elements and when greasing the king pins should be inspected that grease is weeping out.

[Tacoma Bob]

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

Quite often all you need to do is replace the bushings. The pins themselves are hardened steel and if they are not worn or grooved because of lack of lube they will work just fine with some new bushings. The bushing are a soft material and is usually all that wears. I found king pins at swap meets for a few bucks that looked serviceable. You can easy tell by feel once you have the new bushings in place and either reamed or honed. Done a bunch of them that way.


Commercial shops like to sell you a king pin job that includes new king pins when all that is needed is new bushings.


Tom Endy

Thanks Tom !