Problem with Kingpin Bushings

[arturo7]

Ran into a problem while putting my front axle back together. On the first spindle, the new kingpin bushings went in without a hitch. On the second spindle there was a problem. The bushings seemed to be too big. I think I got a little over-zealous trying to make them fit and scored up the bushing.

Any advice on how I should proceed?

thanks

#1 A-OK




#2 Oops!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Freeze the bushing, heat up the casting. It might go in more easily right away but if not press it in?

[sqrlnts]

Was the old one that came out of that bore scored on the OD? Check the kingpin carefully with your finger to feel for an edge or irregularity. If you have calipers measure it for roundness. If everything looks/feels/measures good go with what Dan said above. They can be a pain in the ass.

[Speedbumpauto]

Does the king pin fit in the good one? I haven't done them in a while but many came undersize to allow for a precision reamer or better, a Sunnen hone to establish final size and parallelism between the two bushings. If that is the case with yours, a little distortion will be corrected when the sizing is done. At any rate, the cold/heat is a good idea....unless you've already powdercoated the spindles.

[dubie]

i stuck all mine in the freezer for 2 days before installing them. They all went in with only a couple taps from the hammer and socket after that. Be sure to get the bushing honed after they're installed so they fit the pin properly. That's one thing I didn't know until after I tried pounding the king pin in

[arturo7]

Thanks all. Guess I'll try the freezing the bushings. The spindles have been painted with POR, probably not a good idea to hit them with a torch.