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Old 03-22-2019, 06:58 PM   #1
Sod Buster
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Default 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.
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Old 03-22-2019, 07:16 PM   #2
4dFord/SC
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Default 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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Old 03-22-2019, 09:48 PM   #3
Sod Buster
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Default Re: King Pins

Thanks 4d.
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Old 03-22-2019, 11:38 PM   #4
RalphM
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Default Re: King Pins

I still prefer the bushing type. I just don’t like anything modern.
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Old 03-23-2019, 05:22 AM   #5
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Default 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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Old 03-23-2019, 06:54 AM   #6
19Fordy
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Default Re: King Pins

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Stick with the original style bushings. They will last you the rest of your life. Cheaper too.
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Old 03-23-2019, 08:35 AM   #7
Sod Buster
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Default 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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Old 03-23-2019, 08:53 AM   #8
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Default Re: King Pins

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19fordy View Post
stick with the original style bushings. They will last you the rest of your life. Cheaper too.
x2.
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Old 03-23-2019, 12:02 PM   #9
Sod Buster
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Default 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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Old 03-23-2019, 02:14 PM   #10
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Default 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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Old 03-23-2019, 02:22 PM   #11
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Default 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
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Old 03-23-2019, 02:52 PM   #12
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Default 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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Old 03-23-2019, 06:06 PM   #13
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Default 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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Old 03-24-2019, 08:42 PM   #14
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Default 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.
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Old 03-24-2019, 08:48 PM   #15
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Default Re: King Pins

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sod Buster View Post
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.


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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Old 03-24-2019, 09:00 PM   #16
Sod Buster
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Default Re: King Pins

Thanks for the info everyone.
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Old 03-24-2019, 09:22 PM   #17
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Default Re: King Pins

A lot of us surely miss joblot automotive.
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Old 03-25-2019, 09:02 AM   #18
Seth Swoboda
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Default 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.
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Old 03-25-2019, 06:19 PM   #19
russcc
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Default 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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Old 03-25-2019, 10:21 PM   #20
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Default Re: King Pins

x2...south side obsolete...google him up
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