Repair And Fix it

King pins and bushings are vital steering system parts on large trucks. Regular maintenance and inspection is recommended to ensure safety of the vehicle. If replacement is required, some king pin bushing models require special tools. Tools commonly used for king pin bushing removal and replacement include a press, soft brass drift punch, and a reamer.

Hydraulic Press

A hydraulic press is often used in the removal of a king pin bushing due to the extreme difficulty that can be experienced while attempting to remove the king pin. Removal of the king pin without one is nearly impossible in large trucks like semis and buses. Using a press eliminates the need for sledgehammers and torches, and the hydraulic pressure removes the king pin with little effort. Press tool kits are also available for king pin bushings. Press tool kits are used by inserting the compression nut into a ratchet.

Soft Brass Drift Punch

A soft brass drift punch can be used in place of a hydraulic press to remove the king pin bushing. Generally, it is recommended that an air hammer be used when removing a king pin bushing with a soft brass drift punch, which will make the removal of the king pin easier. The use of a sledgehammer or traditional hammer can take a lot of strength and effort, especially on a large truck. Soft brass drift punches are the best alternative to a hydraulic press because they will not spark or damage other metal parts.

Reamer

Reamers are not used in the replacement of all king pin bushings. Half-ton and three-quarter-ton trucks use what is called a "floating" bushing, recognizable by their bronze color. Floating bushings do not require reaming because they are manufactured to the final size. One-and-one-half-ton trucks do require the bushings to be reamed, because the bushings are press-fit into the spindle. For these types of king pin bushings, a reamer is required. When reaming is required, it is important to avoid honing or burnishing the king pin bushings, which will cause damage to the bushings. Reaming is done with the use of an adjustable straight flute reamer to ensure that no parts are damaged. To use the reamer, it is inserted into the steering knuckle just until the blades touch the bushing. It is then rotated with a slight downward pressure. Applying too much press can also cause damage to the king pin. Driving with a damaged king pin is extremely dangerous, and can cause a loss of control to the vehicle, possibly resulting in an accident.

A spigot bushing is a part on all types of cars. It is the bronze sleeve bearing in the crankshaft which carries the nose of the gearbox input shaft to provide proper alignment of the clutch disk. A spigot (sometimes erroneously referred to as "spicket") bushing is essential for the crankshaft of a car to operate properly. When you are replacing a spigot bushing, it is necessary to match up the old one with a new one to ensure the proper bushing is installed.

Instructions

1

Pop the hood and locate the spigot bushing in the crankshaft of the car. Insert a 5/8-inch metal rod into the bushing that is already installed on the crankshaft and hit it with a hammer. The hydraulic pressure will push the bushing out of the bore.

2

Pour a bottle of oil into an oil pan or other canister and soak the new bronze bushing in the oil for 24 hours. This will help lubricate it and make for easier installation of the spigot bushing.

3

Pour a small amount of grease onto the area where the old spigot bushing was removed from. Do not let it sit for too long. Begin installing the bushing right after you apply the grease.

4

Place the spigot bushing where the old one was and slide the 5/8-inch metal rod into the bushing. Set a punch on top of the rod and force it down into place with a hammer. Strike firmly with the hammer and tap the bushing down into place.