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| | | | Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 11 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 11 | I have a 58 GMC half ton that I need to replace the king pins on . what I would like to know is if replacing the originals is it a general rule of thumb to go to oversized ?
If everything's coming your way , your in the wrong lane... 1958 GMC Shorty | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | backlater2,
If this rig is similar to the Chevrolet's, I would venture this guess. The oversize king pin set requires that the axle eye be reamed or machine PERFECTLY to accept the larger diameter king pin (oversize). If you have removed your existing pins, and they are not ruined, you should be able to clean up the pin and axle eye, and the pin should fit snugly in the eye...no wobble or slop. This is to test the fit..don't reuse the old pins!
The fit could be a hard palm press or light tap fit..it should not fall through, and once in, should not wiggle around.
All the rest of the bushings you get with a kit should be sized to fit into your spindles AND over the new pin.
There is a "tech-tip" dealing with this procedure. Again, I don't know how pertinent it is to GMC's.
So, to get net on your question...if the standard pin does not fit nicely in the axle eye, you should go to a oversize pin set!
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 990 Member | | Member Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 990 | The main issue would be if the bushings were completely worn away such that new pin and bushings would not be a good tight fit. If there was nothing left of king pin bushings (you'll have to clean it up and look carefully) then you might have to go oversized. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | I might be confused on this issue, but the critical fit....the fit that can't be remedied with parts out of a box, is the pin to axle eye fit.
If this fit is worn, the procedure is to ream or machine it oversize and install a oversize pin.
This pin is fixed in the axle..it doesn't move.
The remaining bushings and thrust washers supplied with the king pin kit will fit into the spindle, but have a ID which accomodates the oversize king pin.
The use of a oversize king pin is dictated ONLY by the condition of the axle eye, the condition of the spindle bushings have no relevance to this selection.
Stuart | | |
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