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| | | Forums66 Topics128,051 Posts1,055,766 Members48,426 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 155 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 155 | Hello Bolters.. I am in new territory, I am breaking down my 55 2nd series truck for a resto rebuild and some solid sheetmetal My plan is to start with the front end , and add disc brakes as well. I have read a good bit and have taken the pass side spindle off are new bushings and pins a DIY shade tree Op or should I seek help
I have a 55 second gen!,, work in progress 1963 long bed step side driver Just a guy who digs old trucks! | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 6,100 | Hy BoToepfer, welcome, all of the bull work can be done by a shade tree mechanic, however new bushings (if required) will need to be reamed inline with one another, this requires special tools which machine shops have. So it is up to you, do what you can and then take the cleaned up pieces to a machine shop for final fitting or take the whole front axle to the machine shop and let them overhaul it for you, hope that helps. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 2,074 | Actually the kit for those king pins should come with new push in bushings that are pre sized, no reaming necessary. My old 30 Chev was the last car I had to have king pins reamed. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | That is correct: 3100 (and, maybe 3600) trucks had "floating" king pin bushings. No bushing reaming is necessary. If a king pin in loose in the axle, the axle would need to be reamed for an over-sized king pin - matching floating bushing would come with the oversized king pins. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | 3100 were full floaters, no reaming necessary. 3600 pressed into spindle and need to be line bored (honed) by a machine shop to fit kingpins.
dg
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 11 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2015 Posts: 11 | So, what kit do you order when replacing king pins. My 50 3100 is a little loose and thought they would need to be replaced. Some are standard, some oversize. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Well...you'll need to measure to figure out what's worn and what's not. If the brass bushings are the only thing that's worn them that's all you need to replace. If the spindles are worn then they need to be reamed and over size bushings used.
dg
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Well...you'll need to measure to figure out what's worn and what's not. If the brass bushings are the only thing that's worn them that's all you need to replace. If the spindles are worn then they need to be reamed and over size bushings used.
dg And, if the king pins are loose in the axle hole, you will need to ream the axle holes to fit over-sized king pins and matching bushings. | | |
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