'53 3800 kingpin help

[knucklfrank]

I need to replace the kingpins on my panel but my maual flew the coop, I was wondering if someone could give me advice on reamers needed, what is the dif on the std and .010 oversize,is that the outside of the bushing if the hole is egged? what is the proceedures involved. I can do this as long as I know what tools and steps are involved.
frank

[Rich-Md]

Well I've been in your shoes a couple years ago. The .010 oversize is the way to go. If the axel is any good the .010 will not fit in the hole. I used two things to hone out the holes to accept the oversize kingpins. A honer used to hone out out break wheel cylinders and a drimmel tool with the "drum" sanding disk. I had a shimmy in the front end and it took care of about 85% of the problem. The STD kingpin is just that. As stated, If the axel is good you will have to pound out the old kingpin and pound in or press in a the new kingpin. If the kingpin(s) are easy to remove you need to install the oversize (.010) I'm finding these old stright axels are past their time and should be trashed. This winter I'm putting a Mustang II under my truck after almost 7 years battling steering and suspension problems. I suspect one day you will do the same thing.
Any one else out there with a comment on Kingpin installation ?

[romeske1950]

That sounds right. If you already have an oversized one and you need the standard on, you could always just take off .009 in off the oversized one, that is if you have accesse to a working lathe. But also, i have straightaxel on my truck and so far, it feels great and the only problem i have is that i might want to replace my old front leaves, but they arent saggin too noticably, but i know they are.