Every time the subject of "full floating bushings" comes up it
always seems to cause confusion. Most of us are not used to a
bushing that is not pressed into on member so the second one
can rotate freely in the bushing.
The bushings should be a snug fit in the steering knuckle, but
not snug enough to keep them from pressing thru when lightly
oiled with thumb pressure. When all the parts are new and on
size the bushing should be free to rotates in the steering
knuckle and around the king pin. If they were manufactured to
the proper dimensions then there is no need for any reaming or
honing, they should slip together snugly when lightly oiled,
assuming all the parts are spotlessly clean and there are no
burrs scratches or high spots on any of the bearing surfaces.
The kit comes with new bushings and new pins so they should be
fine. The problem comes in to play with the steering knuckle.
If you are lucky, or should I say, extremely lucky there will
not be any wear in the bore and the bushing would press thru
with thumb pressure. If you are like 99% of the population then
the steering knuckle will show some wear. That is why the
manual specifies reaming the bore for a .010" oversize bushing,
which should still float freely in the bore.
The quick fix that Dave was referring to is to Locktite the
stock size bushing which comes in the kits in the worn steering
knuckle's bore. Locktite thread locker such as 242 or similar
will not work for that. Locktite retaining compound like their
620 might work if the clearance isn't to much. But by doing
that you have just re-engineered your full floating king pin
bushings to a semi-floating design.
I don't know if .010" over bushing are available. If the
bushings that came with the kit will not slip into the steering
knuckle than I suppose they could be over size. In which case
the machinist should be instructed to hone the steering knuckle
bore to a snug slip fit, meaning a few ten thousands of an inch.
That's the way I've always interpreted the design, hope it helps
clear things up.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
