The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Kingpins

My mechanic looked over my truck (a while back for those keeping up, '53 GMC 3100) and recommended new kingpins. I finally got around to TRYING to take them off but the one I got to (left/driver's side) WILL NOT BUDGE.
Yes, I took the retaining pin out. I tried some heat with what I have (propane torch) and busted out the BFH and a brass punch. Went at it about 2 hours and nothing. Tried hammering upwards and downwards to no avail. Any tips??

How bad was the right side? I have heard of some guys having to take the axle out and have them pressed. I'll bet some savy bolter will come along with a better idea. Hang tight and keep them soaking in penetrant.

Its easier to remove the axle and have the pins done at a machine shop if you don't own a portable king pin press

Is the axle hanging in space or on the springs? You should solidly support it as close as possible to the kingpin. How big is your BFH? The bigger the better when it comes to driving pins out.
There are rust molecules in there holding hands, and the idea is to make enough noise that they let go and cover their ears.

The BFH on kingpins can actually result in a bent axle. Support it solidly as close to the king pin as possible and give it a whack or three. If no movement you'll be better off pressings them out either in place if you can or remove the axle and take it to the press.

Whaling away with the big hammer for some time is not a good idea.

I pounded mine out with a sledge hammer, years ago. What I discovered later was that the kingpins bulged a tiny bit on the top and damaged the holes in the axle. I eventually had to have hardened bushing installed in the axle to bring them back to standard. I would remove the axle and press them out.

Support the axle with heavy wood blocks, and give a couple really good whacks with the biggest hammer you have. If it starts moving, keep at it till you get close to the end. Keep measuring the pin before driving it out so you don't force the swelled out parts through the hole. You may have to grind down the pin or cut it off before continuing. Spray lube is you friend here along with heat. Switch your propane bottle to a bottle of MAP gas, it will get much hotter. The axle should almost be cherry red.
I have had to drive pins out of school bus axle with sledge hammers taking full overhead swings, it's not a fun job!

Joe

Agree 100%.
Also whaling away with a not big enough hammer is even worse. All that does is mushroom the pin.

1951 3100

I was waiting on the 'Heat' recommendation. Some will agree and some will not agree with heat. I personally had the spindles off my axle, put them in my press, and heated them, and heated them, sprayed some penetrant, and heated them some more. Used a rosebud, and was not shy using it. And after a while, it will start to release. You can hear the press starting to relax. Once it does, it's on then. They will come right out. The key, which more than one person told me, it to let the spindle cool on it's own.

I tried spraying them, letting them sit, and then BFHing them, but I'm not a big fan of that much banging. Something else may give, and not what you want. Bores cleaned up very nice, measured out correct, new bushings went in snug, king pins went in snug, and so far, everything is straight and true.
Whole front end may collapse, but I don't think it will.

A press is the way to go.
Just my 2 cents worth.

Mike

I've had them tap out as pretty as you please (not worn either) and I've had to use the press on others. Heat assist being last resort, some shop manuals warn against it.

I suppose I'll try to see if some c-clamp type press from the FLAPS will fit and do the job. Otherwise I'll pop off the axle and take it over to my mechanic to have them pressed out. Thanks for the help, fellas!

Ball joint press did the job! Thanks for the tips everyone!
Now for the bushings in the spindle... How do I get them out??

They are a slip fit design, both on the king pin and the bore of the spindles. You should be able to easily tap them out, unless someone Loctited them to the spindle bores. In that case, some heat from a propane torch should make the Loctite let go.
Carl

Sounds straight forward enough. Does it matter which direction they go out? Also, I'm measuring because I don't know if oversize pins have been installed. Is the advertised measurement the measurement of the pin itself or the bore in the axle with/without the bushings??
Thanks for all the help!

Pin diameter, which is bore in axle, and bushing diameter in spindle after reaming, all the same within 0.001" or less.

Everything measured up to standard size (.866). New kingpin set has been ordered. Thanks for the help!