The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Kingpin’s Lock pin (bolt)

Hi Members. Hopefully you can help. I’m doing a disc brake conversion on my ‘49 Chevy 1/2 ton pickup. In my haste to take apart the old brake system I inadvertently removed the lock pin that hold the kingpin. See photo attached. I realized I didn’t need to take out the lock pin to do the conversion. Subsequently I tried to reinsert the lock pin or bolt, and after hammering and hammering it just won’t go in. I ruined the pin and ordered a new one. Before I gone down the same road any suggestions on making the job easier. A photo is attached of the pin itself and it appears to be hitting the kingpin itself. It made a mess of the pin. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I would guess that maybe the kingpin moved and is no longer lined up correctly. I went through the same thing on the forward mount for my rear springs, it has the same type of lock pin. It can look perfect lined up, but just be off a little bit and it will not go in. If your new pin does not go in with just a few light taps, then pull it out and try realigning the king pin.

Lee.

Thanks Lee.

Are you sure you inserted it from the correct side. It is installed front to back. It also appears that you now have a raised burr inside the hole. Take a small flat or square file to remove the burr, blow it out with compressed air, then it should slide in the majority of the way by hand, a few taps with a small hammer, then secure it with the nut. Good luck!

It looks like the kingpin has turned in the axle.
Try tapping a tapered punch in the hole and see if it will reposition the kingpin.

Move the spindle back & forth till you see the flat part on the king pin appear in the hole. It helps to line it up like Pre says with a long tapered punch.
George

Thanks for help. Yes I did insert from front to back, but does it make a difference? Just wondering.

It seems like they will fit either way but sometimes it might interfere with the spindle stop.

I don’t know if it would work in either direction but the wheel stop is mounted on the back of the pin and is fastened by the lock washer and nut.

More than likely the flat spot on the king pin was not quite aligned and you just caught the edge. You should be able to slide the flat tapered side of the pin past the flat on the king pin by hand prior to tapping it into place.

Now that you know what to look for, I am sure that you will have sucess installing the new one. Good Luck!

I all set. Thanks for your help!