in need of kingpin help

[chris cupp]

i need to change kingpins and cant get them out WHATS THE SECRET

thanks chris

[FORDification]

The secret is to take it to the machine shop (or someone else with a large press) and just have them tackle it. That way they can also press in the new bushings and have them reamed for you. It would probably run you $75-$125 with parts, but well worth the money, in my opinion.

Otherwise, if you're determined to do this yourself, you'll have to try the heat method. I'd apply liberal amounts of PB Blaster, allowing it to soak in and then apply heat to the spindle and just keeping banging away at the kingpin with a BFH and a drift pin. It MIGHT come out, depending on how vigilant the previous owner was with regular kingpin lubrication. Just make sure the drift pin is about the same size as the kingpin to eliminate the possibility of mushrooming the end of it out....if that happens you're REALLY up a creek!

[NM5K]

In my case, even heat didn't help. And I'm using a real torch, not
some silly map gas thing...Wouldn't budge. I concur...Take off the
axle, and take it to a machine shop if at all possible. Some of those
kingpins are nearly impossible to get out without tearing up , or overheating
something. They sit for years, and rust, seize up. Excess heat is not
really good for those parts either. I had mine nearly red hot, with the
whole weight of the truck on it. No go. I gave up and yanked the
axle, and took it to the shop. Didn't really cost that much extra. MK

[oldhalftons]

I'm a broke redneck

It was just easier and well worth the money to have a shop that I trusted do them for $140.

I brought the parts in and it was 2 hours labor. I have a O/A torch too but it would have taken days and I didn't want to over heat the beams (I'm also the kind of guy that tries to tackle everything on my truck myself )

[chris cupp]

thats what i figured id would have to do, i work in a machine shop so i have acess to the tools, and have the axles off, sooo i guess i take to work but just dont know where to begin




chris

[Heavenlyfire]

I don't mean to ask a stupid question, but did you take out the keeper bolt? If so, I used an old socket that was about the same size and a dead blow hammer. Soak them in penatrating oil over night and give them a wack, litterally . Good luck.

[NM5K]

If so, I used an old socket that was about the same size and a dead blow hammer. Soak them in penatrating oil over night and give them a wack, litterally Laughing. Good luck..................

Sometimes all that will not work. I think it
probably depends on the moisture, etc, the
truck lived in. I soaked mine with rustbuster
over a period of days, sockets, big hammers,
torch, the whole weight of the truck, etc, ad nasium..
Still wouldn't budge.
But... I hear of a few that are easy...Probably
lived in a dry climate or sumtin.... ???
One thing on mine...When I replaced, I coated
the "holes" with anti seize paste. Maybe that
will make things easier, if there is a next time..
Being I used bronze bushings, reamed by the shop,
I doubt I will wear them out enough to have to do it again anytime soon. I grease it often.
MK