The Ford Barn

Floats · 09-26-2019, 09:54 AM

Hi Gents,
Some time ago I saw a post suggesting welding a bead on the stub axles(outside of the king pin bushes) in order to shrink the bushes and tighten up the kingpins.
Could this be done with the kingpins and bushes in position, even with the stub axles in position?
I assume this is done with an arc welder, running a bead up the outside of the king pin mountings, on the stub axle?
Does this weld need to be cooled down after welding or must it be left to cool down naturally?
Your inputs are much appreciated.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 09-26-2019, 11:21 AM

I think the 'stub axles' that you are referring to are called Spindle Assemblies by Ford.

While I do not recall the post you are referencing, I don't think what you are suggesting is prudent.

Instead, the way I would suggest the repair be made is mount the existing Spindle Bolts (King Pins) into a lathe and use a Tool Post grinder to true them until they are round. Then fabricate a new bushing for the spindle and press it in. Next bore and finish hone the bushing to a size of about 0.001" over the new size of the Spindle Bolt. This allows you to have a good/safe repair that will last a long time.

Floats · 09-26-2019, 12:03 PM

Thanks Brent,
That has all been done, new king pins or spindle bolts and new bushes were fitted by a local engineering company.
The bushes were reamed and not honed with the result that they are not perfect and I assume the guy that did the job did not think a close fit was that important, being an old car.
As I mentioned, I have seen a post here where slight play could be fixed by a weld on the spindles.
Much appreciated.

1931 flamingo · 09-26-2019, 01:12 PM

Pull it apart, install new bushings and find a different shop and have them honed to the pins. Re-assemble. "local engineering company" , interesting.

Paul in CT

dumb person · 09-29-2019, 07:41 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

While i've done things like that on things that are not vehicle steering parts (E.G. farm equipment) i don't recommend it on vehicle steering parts.

09-26-2019, 09:54 AM	#1
Floats Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mossel Bay, about 300km from Cape Town Posts: 530	Welding a bead on the stub axle Hi Gents, Some time ago I saw a post suggesting welding a bead on the stub axles(outside of the king pin bushes) in order to shrink the bushes and tighten up the kingpins. Could this be done with the kingpins and bushes in position, even with the stub axles in position? I assume this is done with an arc welder, running a bead up the outside of the king pin mountings, on the stub axle? Does this weld need to be cooled down after welding or must it be left to cool down naturally? Your inputs are much appreciated. __________________ Regards Chris Cape Town 28 Model A RPU, 29 Chevy Phaeton, 67 E Type FHC, 67 250SL Pagoda, 83 911 SC

09-26-2019, 11:21 AM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,508	Re: Welding a bead on the stub axle I think the 'stub axles' that you are referring to are called Spindle Assemblies by Ford. While I do not recall the post you are referencing, I don't think what you are suggesting is prudent. Instead, the way I would suggest the repair be made is mount the existing Spindle Bolts (King Pins) into a lathe and use a Tool Post grinder to true them until they are round. Then fabricate a new bushing for the spindle and press it in. Next bore and finish hone the bushing to a size of about 0.001" over the new size of the Spindle Bolt. This allows you to have a good/safe repair that will last a long time. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

09-26-2019, 12:03 PM	#3
Floats Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mossel Bay, about 300km from Cape Town Posts: 530	Re: Welding a bead on the stub axle Thanks Brent, That has all been done, new king pins or spindle bolts and new bushes were fitted by a local engineering company. The bushes were reamed and not honed with the result that they are not perfect and I assume the guy that did the job did not think a close fit was that important, being an old car. As I mentioned, I have seen a post here where slight play could be fixed by a weld on the spindles. Much appreciated. __________________ Regards Chris Cape Town 28 Model A RPU, 29 Chevy Phaeton, 67 E Type FHC, 67 250SL Pagoda, 83 911 SC

09-26-2019, 01:12 PM	#4
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: Welding a bead on the stub axle Pull it apart, install new bushings and find a different shop and have them honed to the pins. Re-assemble. "local engineering company" , interesting. Paul in CT

09-29-2019, 07:41 PM	#5
dumb person Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South pacific island Posts: 1,724	Re: Welding a bead on the stub axle Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) While i've done things like that on things that are not vehicle steering parts (E.G. farm equipment) i don't recommend it on vehicle steering parts. __________________ <Link> This is how we roll<Link> "I'm Convinced that no one really reads posts anymore; they just fabricate what they think the post says then ramble on about red herrings."--Bob Outcasts rules of old cars #1 Fun is imperative, mainstream is overrated #2 If they think it is impossible, prove them wrong #3 If the science says it impossible you are not being creative enough. #4 No shame in recreating something you never had #5 If it were not for the law & physics you would be unstoppable

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