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9/8/19: First on my list today is the cleaning and prepping the drivers side springs for reassembly. Previously I found that it had nine leafs vs the passenger side having only eight. I was able to cut that extra spring to take the place of the cracked one I found (sometimes things work themself’s out nicely). I accomplished this by slowly cutting with a side grinder and a cut-off wheel so I wouldn’t generate too much heat. Another two hours of cleaning with a wire wheel, grinding out the ridges, a quick paint job with rattle can satin black, a day to dry and the drivers side is ready for reassembly.

I needed to get the steering knuckles ready for reassembly. The 1/2 ton has floating bushings that are not secured to the knuckle. However in my case the ID of both knuckles were worn between .002” and .006” thousands and after recommendations from fellow “Bolters”, I decided to use Loctite 660 to secure them in, hopefully preventing further damage to the knuckles. I think this design, limited to the 1/2 tons, was to help the truck owner’s change the king pins and bushings themself’s. With the bushings not being a press fit (3/4 ton and up have pressed in bushings), it would make changing them an easier task. This however sets up the knuckles up for wear. A poor design in my opinion. These are getting harder to find in good shape and are at a significant cost, so preventing any more damage is a priority.

After coating the new bushings with Loctite 660, inserting them into the knuckle, insuring the lubrication holes were aligned, I used the king pin to keep them in alignment then set them aside to dry.