King Pins

Sod Buster

Sod Buster

Senior Member
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.:)
 
I've had a set in mine for 15 years. The steering is noticeably lighter (but nowhere near power steering).
 
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.
 
Stick with the original style bushings. They will last you the rest of your life. Cheaper too.
 
I think I will stick with the original brass and keep it as close to original as possible, thanks for the input.
 
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.

20190322_125831-L.jpg
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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Sod Buster said:
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.

20190322_125831-L.jpg
Click to expand...


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.
 
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.
 
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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