Kingpin HELP!!

48Flyer

48Flyer

Senior Member
I was planning on replacing the kingpins (spindle pivot shaft) on my 51 Mercury today. After removing the old bushings, cleaning the spindles and pressing in the new bushings, I find that the kingpins are .025 bigger than the inside bushing diameter.
This is the first time I have attempted this job on an old Ford or Mercury and am hoping to get some ideas from experinced folks.
What type of fit should the shaft/bushings be? Certainly not a pressed fit as they do pivot.
What can I do now?
Thanks
 
You will need to ream them to a snug fit. Bring them to a machine shop or buy a expensive reamer and do it your self.
 
Anyone know of a reamer that will work? or want to loan out one I can use?
Car is stuck up on jackstands now!
Thanks
 
Best job you will get ,is take the stub axle with new bushes installed and the king pin to an auto machinist and have him hone the bushes to fit.
Lawrie
 
I second that emotion Lawri. Take the spindles and king pins to a auto machine shop and have them fitted. Jim.T.
 
That appears to be the correct tool. If you have the front end apart - and apparently you do - I'd vote for having the job done by someone who's done it previously. Chances are, you'll not need to install another set of king pins and the cost of the reamer could be put toward paying an experienced machinist. Chances are you'll be happier with the results if you've not used a reamer before. FWIW.
 
Lawrie said:
Best job you will get ,is take the stub axle with new bushes installed and the king pin to an auto machinist and have him hone the bushes to fit.
Lawrie
Click to expand...

jimvette59 said:
I second that emotion Lawri. Take the spindles and king pins to a auto machine shop and have them fitted. Jim.T.
Click to expand...
Sorry fellas but the king pin bushings on a 51' Merc. are in the spindle supports not the spindles. And are normally reamed on the car.
 
I can remember back in the day, I used a rat tail file and inserted it through the bushing. Then with the tire and wheel on their side rolled the bushing with the file inserted until the bushing fit the king pin.
 
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