Kingpin bushings

[import600]

What is actually done when these bushings are reamed? are they just pressed or is it something more?

[390Nut]

They are pressed in, and then reamed out (think drilling the inside diameter) to match the size of the king pins, plus a few thousands of an inch, to provide a snug fit.

[67heavystepside]

would be correct

did mine on my 67, not fun

[import600]

can machine shops can do this easily?

[FORDification]

Yes, this is a relatively simple procedure that virtually any machine shop can easily handle.

[mcarlson11]

dont try to do it yourself unless you have a bushing install tool. you WILL ruin your expensive bushings. Its so much easier to just let a machine shop do it.

[FORDification]

I agree. I just brought my spindle/I-beam assemblies into the machine shop, where they pressed out the old kingpins and bushings, pressed in some new bronze bushings and reamed 'em out, and reassembled everything. Total cost was about $100, including the cost of the new kingpins. Totally worth it, IMO.

[Wes]

A good front end shop thats knows what it's doing should be able to do it as well.

[Darrman]

I gotta ask, how do you know to replace kingpins?
Is it like ball joints, as in wheel looseness?
I tried it on mine the other day, testing it like ball joints and both were solid as a rock.

[ezernut9mm]

I gotta ask, how do you know to replace kingpins?
Is it like ball joints, as in wheel looseness?
I tried it on mine the other day, testing it like ball joints and both were solid as a rock.

yes, it's the same. i lifted mine off the ground and grabbed the top and bottom of the tire and rocked back and forth. if there is any play it's the kingpins.

[wt4speed#2]

Don't confuse king pin play with wheel bearing play. If it moves and you are unsure if it's king pin or wheel bearing play . have someone else move the wheel in the same manner pushing and pulling on the top and bottom , and lay under the front of the truck and watch the axle eye end , if you can visibaly see any motion of the spindle eyes(top or bottom) on the axle eye your king pins are too loose.

[Darrman]

Yeah, when I redid the brakes, I repacked the bearing which were in good shape. There is zero play in the wheels, which for me is good. I just have to get the grease fittings on the kingpins to accept grease, they have been capped with mud for a few years.
I wish I could say the same for the rest of the front suspension, .

[MadMaxetc]

You can screw off the cops on top and bottom of the king pins and spray/soak them in WD40 to remove dried out grease. Just be sure to pump them full of new grease.