King Pin Interface With Spindle

[johnr9q@yahoo.com]

When I took the front end apart I don't remember this much slop that you can see in the picture. Maybe there was but I just didn't notice. Should I push the bushing out of the king pin and use a new spindle (I have a new spindle)

 

[JayJay]

When I took the front end apart I don't remember this much slop that you can see in the picture. Maybe there was but I just didn't notice. Should I push the bushing out of the king pin and use a new spindle (I have a new spindle)

Your photo does not show a king pin and spindle, it shows a spring perch and spring shackle. Regardless, the key issue here is whether the bushing has worn through and has worn into the steel of the spring perch (which is not uncommon). Your photo does show a lot of “slop”, which is not good. I can’t see whether the wear is in the shackle shaft or in the bushing. If there is no wear in the steel of the perch (elongated hole when the bushing is not present) then you can restore the tightness with a new bushing and a new shackle. If there is wear in the perch you should probably replace it too. I replace bushings and shackles whenever I have a front end apart.

How much play should you have? The shackle should turn freely in the bushing but no side-to-side movement. I often have to burnish a new shackle shaft with fine sandpaper to get the proper fit.

 

[mercman from oz]

King Pin Interface With Spindle

 

[Joe K]

I don't try to "repair" such spring perches. Better to replace with new.

Except for that getting it apart from the axle business..

A good time to check your axle for bending - and straighten if necessary. Ford used "alignment rods" to check.

I showed pictures of the Model T version (KRW tool) that can be used on a Model A. Post 12 below.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279832

The usual problem found for a Model A axle is the passenger side is "pushed back" compared to the left side. Something about potholes along the edge of the road.

Joe K

 

[johnr9q@yahoo.com]

Thanks JayJay, so I will get another Spring Pearch as it is worn into the steel. I should also put new bushings in the springs. It looks difficult to get out.

 

[JayJay]

Thanks JayJay, so I will get another Spring Pearch as it is worn into the steel. I should also put new bushings in the springs. It looks difficult to get out.

To get the bushings out, I take a hacksaw blade off the hacksaw frame, thread it through the hole, then reattach it to the saw frame. Carefully saw through the bushing being very careful to keep it level and don’t cut into the steel of the spring. Once sawn through, you can pry under one of the cut sides and peel it inwards to remove it. It will take a while to do properly. Not sure why but this, to me, is one of the more PITA tasks in working on a Model A.

To insert the new bushing you can pull it in using a length of allthread, washers and nuts, or you can use a press. A little trick is to grind a small bevel onto the leading edge of the bushing to help guide it into the spring. You can also freeze the bushing to shrink it a bit (dry ice is better, liquid nitrogen is best if you happen to have a source).

 

[Y-Blockhead]

The usual problem found for a Model A axle is the passenger side is "pushed back" compared to the left side. Something about potholes along the edge of the road.

Joe K

I can imagine a few years of "parking" against the curb can contribute to pushing back the left side also.

 

[1crosscut]

Purchase one of the spring busing drivers from one of the vendors.
Not a lot of dollars and they work pretty well for getting them out and putting new ones back in.