Tech Tip "kingpin.pdf" page 5 step 3.
Adding a few words of wisdom I learned from Sid's Axles. Fix the axle first then work your way out.
A typical situation is that the old king pin is badly worn and is grooved, the bushings are thin, and the spindle shows wear.
This wear has been going on for some time but it takes $$$ to fix up an old truck so people may drive it, as it is making it worse, till a new owner comes along.
Even though the king pin is held tight in the middle with the center retaining pin, the hardened steel king pin can still flex at the top and bottom.
This flex can oblong or make the axle bore (figure 7) out of round. The amount of bore wear is increased by driving with worn bushings and spindle.
Unless you have a portable boring machine handy and can make your own bushings, this means the axle has to come out and be taken to a truck axle shop.
Since you are doing your own repair it is a decision that you may have to make.
Many just replace the king pin, bushings and install shims as needed.
If your repair job doesn't last long, I would take the truck to a truck axle shop and let them rebuild it. It is labor intensive work so the cost is high.
