King Pin Felt

Mike1291

Mike1291

Senior Member
When assembling the spindle and backing plate, there is a large king pin felt that is sold that is supposed to go somewhere. Does it go between the king pin and the spindle or between the spindle and the backing plate for the brakes? And what purpose does it serve?
 
The weight of the car "bears" on the shoulder/cup at the upper end of the king-pin through the axial thrust bearing. This "closes" any gap at the top and prevent entry of road dirt here.

There actually can form a small "gap" above the axle beam. It sort of exists in the "shadow" of the upper spindle shelf. But the positioning of the king-pin "locking pin" is such that a larger gap is formed BELOW the axle beam. No shelter here AND the lower spindle shelf acts to "catch" water/dirt.

A cupped (shouldered?) washer to restrain and center the felt washer go below the beam - felt on top - and together these sort of fill the gap.

Les Andrews explains that modern upper thrust bearings are slightly thinner than the original bearings. Hence, an extra large diameter washer or two is provided in the kits to go UNDER the thrust bearing and "reposition" the two gaps.

So you want to re-assemble with the mechanics/weaknesses in mind.

Joe K
 
So this mechanical weakness in mind - you would then put shims between the axle and the spindle then to remove the wear on the kingpin/axle? If you do that where would the felt go if your space is taken up by the shims?
 

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Mike1291 said:
So this mechanical weakness in mind - you would then put shims between the axle and the spindle then to remove the wear on the kingpin/axle? If you do that where would the felt go if your space is taken up by the shims?
Click to expand...

The shims go "under" the thrust bearing and serve to "fill out" the missing thickness of the modern bearing.

Otherwise, from your pix, it looks like you have it correct. The shims are "thin" relative to the unfilled space under the axle beam.

Joe K
 
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