$127.00 for a drill Bit!?

Leathernek

Leathernek

Senior Member
Hey Guys,
I was fixin' to order some parts for my front end rebuild and noticed that the front spindle bushings included in the kit need reaming. Ok, no big deal...until I noticed the price of the reaming tool.....you guessed it $127! I was shocked! Anyways, my question is.....Is there a way of reaming the front spindle/kingpin bushings another way? Or is there any "tricks" that I can use to avoid buying that high dollar reamer?

Thanks!
 
It is expensive to order a reamer. They are a precision ground tool. For a one time deal, I'm sure it is cheaper to take it to a shop.
 
You will probably get a better job at a professional automotive machine shop, but I wouldn't count on saving any money.
 
A reamer does not leave a perfectly round hole. It will have hills and valleys. So the king pin will fit tight at first and quickly hone the hole removing all the hills. This will leave you with a slightly loose fit that will be stable for a long time.

On the other hand, a Sunnen hone will make both bushings round and inline. The king pins will stay tight for a long time.

Now you know the facts and can decide how you want to spend your money.
 
a quote from good old henry ford
"if you need to borrow something more than once then you should have bought one"
just buy the reamer and be happy to know that you can fix the next car that needs the same thing done
tk
 
kelley's restoration said:
a quote from good old henry ford
"if you need to borrow something more than once then you should have bought one"
just buy the reamer and be happy to know that you can fix the next car that needs the same thing done
tk
Click to expand...
Some peoples pockets can't afford to "just buy it" It must be nice to be in that position.
 
I have two comments.. one is that I also considered buying that tool but it was just too much.I took it to a local machine shop and had it done for 10 bucks. I won't divulge where I got the good deal. And two.... when I saw you started out by saying "I was fixin' to" I knew you were a southern boy.:D
 
28RPU said:
I have two comments.. one is that I also considered buying that tool but it was just too much.I took it to a local machine shop and had it done for 10 bucks. I won't divulge where I got the good deal. And two.... when I saw you started out by saying "I was fixin' to" I knew you were a southern boy.:D
Click to expand...
You might as well share your machine shop. It might save a local some effort. It's not like everyone on the FB is fixin' to rush right down to Tennessee and get their bushings honed. :)
 
I always thought that a good part of this "hobby" was the opportunity (ie: excuse) to buy tools! (and tool chests, work benches, etc.)

As to a machine shop charging ten bucks for anything, I'm sure there are a few scattered around that would do that, but most want ten times that just for walking thru the door!
 
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kelley's restoration said:
a quote from good old henry ford
"if you need to borrow something more than once then you should have bought one"
just buy the reamer and be happy to know that you can fix the next car that needs the same thing done
tk
Click to expand...


Why and when would Henry Ford have said that?

I know my grandfather would loan you any tool one time, but if you came back and asked to borrow the same tool a second time he would say no. Same principle I suppose.
 
MrTube said:
Why and when would Henry Ford have said that?

I know my grandfather would loan you any tool one time, but if you came back and asked to borrow the same tool a second time he would say no. Same principle I suppose.
Click to expand...


i read it from one of those"1001 quotes to live life by" books on the discount rack at borders
tk
 
As stated before, You will get a better job if you have a machine shop who has a Sunnen Piston Pin Hone do the job. Much better fit then you will ever get with a reamer.

I have a small machine shop and the reamers BUT I will still take my spindles down the street to my local Automotive Machine Shop to hone the bushings.

That is what I do.

Chris
 
Forget the reamer and do the honing. Not all that expensive at the machine shop I used ($40 for both spindles) and what a precise fit! YMMV on the price to have it done, of course.
 
kelley's restoration said:
a quote from good old henry ford
"if you need to borrow something more than once then you should have bought one"
just buy the reamer and be happy to know that you can fix the next car that needs the same thing done
tk
Click to expand...

Funny, when I Googled this quote, there was only one hit-this thread!
 
Here is my recent first hand experience. I bought a spindle kit from Lang's and recieved the same message. My theory is they need to alert the customer as one never knows what the press conditions are. The bushings pressed in fine and the kit pins fit perfectly. Nice proper fit.

I looked at the risk, if they fit, lucky me. If they didn't, Production Tool sold an expandable reamer for that diameter for $ 26.00.

Good luck...
 
In some cases when something is used very infrequently I suggest getting your region or chapter to buy it and put it out on loan for all to use,
Ken
 
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