1929 Fordor with frozen king pins. Spindle locking bolt removed by drilling out. King pin will not rotate. 1 week of daily Kroil. Heat on the axle with propane and hammering from below only moved one pin 1/8". Spindle and lower bushing rotates on the pin. Front brake shafts are loose. My guess is the pin is frozen to the axle. I'm at a loss here.
Frozen King pins
- Thread starter TMB
- Start date
1931 flamingo
Well-known member
I don't think propane torch going to get it hot enough to do much good. JMO
Paul in CT
Paul in CT
Rowdy
BANNED
Also, try to turn them with some channel locks. Any movement is progress at this point. After I removed the brake actuators I made the mistake of turning them with a 24" pipe wrench. I got them to rurn which aided in loosening them up, but ruined the tops of the pins. Turned out they were Ford script K pins with no wear. Rod
I tried the pipe wrench with a "convincer" pipe - no luck. Glad I didn't break the King Pin in the process. I am afraid of making it worse. Also, I suppose I need to take the axle off in order to press out the pins correct?
I have a braising tip I use for rivets. Do I need something more powerful? I was told by another not to get the axle red hot.
Patience and Kroil. I'll keep going. I am hitting the pin rather hard - afraid I may mushroom the end.
Rowdy
BANNED
Yes. I can't think of a way to do this with it on the car. I have looked high and low for the KRW king pin remover, but have not found one yet. I am not sure how it would work with frozen up pin's, but might make it easier as you could keep perssure applied as you heat. Rod
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Kevin in NJ
Well-known member
Get a long throw air hammer (3 to 4" or the 3 or 4 X kind) you might have to borrow one from a mechanic. Hold the axle such that is can not move, the mount point should be very heavy. Make a flat punch that fits the air hammer.
Put the air hammer on the bottom and let it do its work. If you put a spacer on the bottom of the king pin it might not even get damaged.
If you do not have access to an air hammer, than two heavy sledges. Put one on the front side and hit the rear side. The idea is to make lots of shock to break the rust loose. The air hammer was very effective in removing spring perches. We were surprised with how well it work when my brother and I tried it.
Of course, a big press can work too.
The axle should not be heated much above 300*F. That is about the point grease and oil start smoking.
The king pin tool listed in the catalog is probably not strong enough. The one I have does not look like it has good enough threads for a really stuck king pin.
Put the air hammer on the bottom and let it do its work. If you put a spacer on the bottom of the king pin it might not even get damaged.
If you do not have access to an air hammer, than two heavy sledges. Put one on the front side and hit the rear side. The idea is to make lots of shock to break the rust loose. The air hammer was very effective in removing spring perches. We were surprised with how well it work when my brother and I tried it.
Of course, a big press can work too.
The axle should not be heated much above 300*F. That is about the point grease and oil start smoking.
The king pin tool listed in the catalog is probably not strong enough. The one I have does not look like it has good enough threads for a really stuck king pin.
Wow. I got in over my head with this one. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks. I might have to remove the axle and take this in for a press.