The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline king pin reamer / reaming bushings

Looking for a king pin reamer and found a seller on ebay with NOS tools including reamers. Anybody have an idea what size one labeled 120 or 121 etc might be? Also any guess on how much needs to be reamed? King pin measures 118/128. Thanks

I know it is unethical and not the proper way to ream out king pin bushings and I'll probably catch it from others. In a pinch on some of the bushings I've installed in some axles and various other things I've repaired I've used a brake cylinder hone when I did not have the proper reamer. I hone a little and constantly check for fit. I've never had any problems with the repairs. Yeah, I know, shade tree mechanic, but I swear some of those reamers are made of gold.

Rick

Dave
Where in Missouri are you?
I also don't understand you're 118/128 measures.
Being a retired machinist, I may be able to help.

Don

I live close to Lees Summit. The measurement is .922 inch. Thanks

Reaming kingpin bushings requires not only the right sized hole when you're done, but both bushings must have the holes aligned with each other. I've always used an expandable reamer with an extended shank, and a tapered pilot inserted in the other bushing to assure the holes stay aligned. The adjustable reamer allows the installer to sneak up on the proper clearance so the new bushing doesn't end up with more slop than the worn out ones they replaced.
Jerry

Dave, what Jerry says is correct.
The bushings need to be aligned together.
I have a few adjustable reamers and if it it is not raining too hard, I'll check the the sizes tomorrow.

Don

Here are a few pictures showing how I ream kingpin bushings and the reamer with a sliding pilot to help ensure the two bores are in line.

PIC. 1
PIC. 2
PIC. 3

I found a reamer and pilot at Automotive specialty tools LLC for $240. It adjust from 27/32 to 15/16. The smaller measurement is just less than the untouched bushing and the larger is 1/64 larger than the pin. Think that might work? Thanks

Sounds good. Just be sure to cut a few thousandths at a time- - - -it's easy to get impatient and make too big of a cut as you approach the proper diameter. Use lots of lube- - - -90 weight rear end grease makes a good substitute if you don't have access to machinist's cutting oil. The king pin should be a snug slip fit with just a little thumb pressure when the bushing is reamed to the proper size.

Good grief! That price is highway robbery! Check out Victor Machinery Co. before you buy anything.

www.victornet.com

Their reamer that size is about $30.00 but it doesn't have the extended shank and tapered alignment fixture. Drop me a PM and I can suggest a way to adapt the less expensive reamer to your project.
Jerry

Dave
Jerry will help you out, but if you have not done it before, it can get scary.
Jim Carters is in in your area, you might see what they would charge to just do it. I think they do truck work and are a supporter of the Stovebolt group.
If they won't do it, they will know who will. Great group and you will meet Jim at the Reunion this September.

http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/cart/index.asp?cat2=&keysearch5=N

Don

Here's a tip on adjusting those reamers- - - -take very light cuts so the blades don't dig into the soft material of the bushings. Use plenty of lubricant, either sulfur-based cutting oil, rear end grease, or lard. I prefer lard. When I'm making a heavy cut with my drill press and using lard lube, it smells like bacon frying. Take several light cuts and check the clearance with the king pin between cuts. You should be able to push the pin through the sized bushing with moderate thumb pressure when the size is right. For a smoother fit, carefully deburr the reamed bushing with a brake cylinder hone but don't disturb the alignment of the bushings in the process of honing.
Jerry

Jerry has been very helpful and Jim Carter's is close enough that I can get there in 40 minutes!!