03-22-2019, 06:58 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wichita Kansas
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King Pins
Are the needle bearing king pin kits worth it over the standard brass bushing sets?
I am changing them out on my 47 sedan, drivers side taped right out the top, it came out like taking candy from a baby, passenger side was a nightmare but it came out after cutting the top ring off and driving it down. |
03-22-2019, 07:16 PM | #2 |
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Re: King Pins
I've had a set in mine for 15 years. The steering is noticeably lighter (but nowhere near power steering).
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03-22-2019, 09:48 PM | #3 |
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Re: King Pins
Thanks 4d.
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03-22-2019, 11:38 PM | #4 |
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Re: King Pins
I still prefer the bushing type. I just don’t like anything modern.
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03-23-2019, 05:22 AM | #5 |
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Re: King Pins
Can't say, I'd see the need for them. Friend's wore little grooves like a u-joint, would have thought the pieces would have been harder to prevent that kind of wear.
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03-23-2019, 06:54 AM | #6 |
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Re: King Pins
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03-23-2019, 08:35 AM | #7 |
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Re: King Pins
I think I will stick with the original brass and keep it as close to original as possible, thanks for the input.
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03-23-2019, 08:53 AM | #8 |
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Re: King Pins
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03-23-2019, 12:02 PM | #9 |
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Re: King Pins
I was looking at the Vanpelt site and do not see the acorn nut that goes on the retaining pin with the kit, the drivers side was broken off so I need the nut also, Mac's kind of has me in limbo back order land on a lot of sundry parts, radiator hoses, distributer end cap, motor mounts so I was looking elsewhere for king pins kit.
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03-23-2019, 02:14 PM | #10 |
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Location: Wichita KS
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Re: King Pins
I would start with the NOS guys and then the other suppliers often recommended here on the Barn, starting with VanPelts. Macs would be my last source.
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03-23-2019, 02:22 PM | #11 |
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Re: King Pins
This set shows the acorn stop nuts in the auction picture, but did not come with the kit I got from them. Maybe he has the acorn nuts.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-1937-41...IAAOSwzOxUYDiw |
03-23-2019, 02:52 PM | #12 |
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Re: King Pins
There have been several articles written about premature failure rate of the needle bearings. Bearings are designed to run at a rated RPM and if properly maintained, will last a long time. The failure of the needle bearings used in the front end is because of the limited, arc of lock to lock steering. I remember when the latest and greatest was the "Teflon" bearings, well we all know how they turned out. I agree with the old tried and true bushings people.
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03-23-2019, 06:06 PM | #13 |
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Re: King Pins
I wish I had left mine in, everyone said my shimmy was caused by the needle bearing's but it was the toe-in was set wrong. The needle bearing's was easier to steer than the bushings I have now. If you go with the bushing's have them honed to fit the pin's, don't ream them, you get a better fit. Al
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03-24-2019, 08:42 PM | #14 |
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Location: MN
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Re: King Pins
I put in regular old solid bearings and then took the axle and spindles to a machine shop. (I don't have a reamer) (they were well versed in old ford). They fit the pins, it was cheap. Done and done. No issues at 70mph.
Last edited by Tinker; 03-24-2019 at 08:52 PM. |
03-24-2019, 08:48 PM | #15 | |
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Re: King Pins
Quote:
Try Roy. http://fordscript.com/ Depending on yr the "acorn" ends also acted as a steering stop. 38 had longer ends that stopped the wheel from turning so far. I can take pictures at some point, if you like. |
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03-24-2019, 09:00 PM | #16 |
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Re: King Pins
Thanks for the info everyone.
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03-24-2019, 09:22 PM | #17 |
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Re: King Pins
A lot of us surely miss joblot automotive.
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03-25-2019, 09:02 AM | #18 |
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Re: King Pins
SodBuster,
I just did this repair on my '47 this winter. I installed new bushings, king pins, had them honed to fit and the results are amazing. I would not use the needle bearing type kit. |
03-25-2019, 06:19 PM | #19 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,871
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Re: King Pins
Surprised nobody mentioned Fred Wilner at SSO, that where I got my NORS king pin set for the '40. Barnfind08 on the forum.
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03-25-2019, 10:21 PM | #20 |
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Re: King Pins
x2...south side obsolete...google him up
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