Kingpin install

[dotcentral]

Do these usually come with some sort of instructions? Mine doesn't have them. Bought it from NAPA. Maybe it is supposed to be self explanatory, but it isn't to me.

My spindles are off a 79 F100, if some one has a diagram they can scan and post or email to me. I am familar with the image Keith has in the disc brake tech article. But was looking for something more detailed.

there is an email button for me below my signature line.

[fordman]

right here is a link.

http://www.fordification.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9171#

[dotcentral]

I have that diagram already, thanks. Looks like it's a drum brake diagram?

I am asking for instructions. What goes where, any torque values, etc. My kingpin kit did not come with anything in the way of instructions. I did come with a lot of parts, including what I think are shims (shrink wrapped - to prevent rust?). My spindles & other brake parts are for a 79 F100. Maybe I need to track down a chassis manual for a 79.

[oldschoolrods]

king pins are easy, the shims go on the bearing which should be marked top use 2 per side they control your up and down play, the bolt that goes through the pins (atleast on the 69) got torqued to 50 ft lbs. a tip i have is use your old lock bolt to help line up the king pin, you can also use a small punch to turn it if needed. if you have any more questions just ask.

[dotcentral]

Well, I am learning how to do these, but I think the machine shop may have made a mistake.

It looks to me like each side gets a bearing between the bottom side of the axle and the bottom portion of the spindle. Basically the spindle rests on a bearing, and the bearing rests on the axle.

Then there is a seal goes on top of the spindle, and the book I borrowed makes it seem like the metal insert needs to be about an 1/8" of an inch up in the bore, letting this seal fit inside the spindle. But the upper inserts on both spindles are just about flush with the bottom of the spindle, which doesn't allow enough room for the seal.

I don't know if any of that makes sense. I will post pics to show what I mean.

Do I need to go back to the machine shop and have them somehow push the insert into the spindle? Or grind a little of the insert out to make room for the seal?

A second question. The diagram in my instructions shows the bearing having a lip on it that should ride inside the kingpin bore. But my kingpin bearings have a flat bottom - no lip. The old bearings from the drum brake set up do not have this lip either. Is this something I should be concerned with?

Finally, the instructions say to coat the seal, bores in the axles, and maybe some other areas with oil. Motor oil? WD-40? Something else? It will all get chassis grease soon, so is the oil just to ease the reassembly and protect the parts?

[dotcentral]

The assembly drawing didn't upload first pass, so I'll try again. These manual is for 76 Fords, but ought to be very similar to the 79 F100 parts I am installing on to a 71 F100.

[dotcentral]

79 Spindles with the inserts installed. Are they to low in the bore for the seal to ride properly?

[dotcentral]

Anyone got an idea on this? My disc swap has ground to a halt until I get this resolved.

I called the machine shop that put my inserts in the spindles. They weren't aware of any seals needing to fit in the upper part of the spindle. The guy insisted that there aren't seals and that I'm mistaken. I'd like to believe that, but when the manual shows them sort of makes me feel they aren't exactly optional.

Maybe in later years it was determined the seals aren't really needed in the twin I-beams. I have talked to people in my area and they don't recall having to put them in when they have redone their kingpins.

[Big D's 69]

Man I hope that you figure this out cause I am getting ready to do that swap.

[QC]

The spindle doesn't look like its machined for a seal. The diagram looks like a metal cased seal, but I wouldn't think it could be as thin as the bushing is, unless its's just an o-ring. How does the bushing look from the top? Is it pushed very far below the threads for the top cap?

[fordman]

my book calls it a thrust bearing. that is for a truck with forged axles. the heavy duty 2wd f250 has the same pic as you have. what kit did you get what came in the kit. what kind of room is there for what size of bearing and or thrust bearing? if you answer these questions this should put you on track. if not tell us the answers to these questions and we'll go over it with you. good luck my friend.

[dotcentral]

My pictures of it are not turning out very well, so I will try to describe it.

The seal is a sheetmetal "O" shape. In section it has sort of a "J" profile. There is an O-ring or similar type of rubber or plastic thing riding inside the sheetmetal piece. If you look at the section drawing, I am pointing to it with the blue line.

The seal is the same diameter as the hole in the spindle. I think the metal insert should be about 1/8" above the bottom of the hole. The seal would then have it's outside surface touching the spindle, it's top surface touching the metal insert, & it's inside surface (the rubber part) touching the kingpin.

[dotcentral]

I took a stab at sketching the seal and the way it fits into the spindle with the kingpin, axle end, etc.

it is a very rough sketch because i'm tired & don't feel like digging up the old t-square or farting around with autocad tonight.

[fordman]

turn the seal over so that it fits into the axle. will that work?

[dotcentral]

The bore thru the axle is too small.

I'm convinced the only purpose of this thing is to hold grease in the upper spindle area. People around here are not putting these seals in, but seems like it would let the upper bushing wear out pretty quick, unless you grease the thing every other week. Lack of lubrication, plus letting water and dirt inbetween two moving, metal parts. Maybe I'm just overly concerned about this?