The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Stainless Steel Brake Co. Royal King Pin Kit

Has anyone tried using this king pin kit instead of the standard one availvable from Chevy Duty, etc? I just read the review about it in the recent isue of Classic truck Trends magazine. Thanks!

What's the story on the kingpins, I haven't heard about them? :confused:

This kit uses needle bearings instead of brass bushings, so lubrication, longevity and steering response are supposedly vastly improved over the usual resto. kits. Also, the kingpins and all parts are made of hardened stainless steel or chrome and the kits are designed to fit stock spindles. I have not compared the costs, however.

I wouldn't use stainless. To much problem with galvanic corrosion with other metals, and the heat treatment is far more critical than alloy steel. Hard chrome would be okay, but will require careful installation to avoid damage. Needle bearings are great, just keep them lubed.

I know Packard used needle bearing on
thier car's kingpins, on the more expensive
models. As far as the stainless kingpins, I
don't know how they would be.

I read the article too and I am tempted to give them a try. The Stainless king pins are hardened stainless and the kit comes with zerks for the end caps as well as O-ring seals. If you lube them once in a blue moon you shouldn't have any problems with galvanic action. I am sure they will be plenty expensive . . . but heck, what is money when your old truck is concerned!

That is right, no cheap stuff on our trucks!

25 years ago when I was at the bus garage, we installed stainless bushings in the school bus spring shackles. The kit replaced the soft metal bush with a stainless sleeve which had a spiral wound bushing like a close coil spring inside, plus a hardened shackle or eye pin.The kit reduced bushing replacement in the **** buses from once a year to just about never replacing them again.We also tried a bigger version in the king pins that worked out great.By the way ,on the IHC busses ,the stock bushings lasted 3 times those of the FORDS or GM full size buses.Stock soft metal king pins on older working PU's last about 50k miles if you grease them regularly. Loose king pin bushes cause the axle and spindle eyes to get egg shaped from the pounding of the loose pin.If you check the spindle eye of an old truck, most are worn egg shaped.Might be a problem with a Torrington needle bearing being forced out of shape when pressed in.A brass bush is more tolerant of dirt also.But if the suspension is in good shape, I bet the kit will improve the steering .

I have not read the article yet, does this kit apply to 45 GMC P/U's as well" WHere can I find out more about replacing the King Pin's? I have never replaced them before and need help on this.

Dumb question, what is Chevy Duty? :confused: :o

Not sure where that comment came from, nor who it is intended towards. Must be the built up frustration from owning a Chevy?!

It wasn't a remark toward anyone. I have
seen Chevy Duty and was wondering if it is a
company or just a generic term for Chevy parts?

Chevyduty is where I've been getting some
of my parts.Real friendly a knowledgable
people and orders shipped at once.
Just wish they wern't instate so I wouldn't
have have to pay sales tax.

DON

As Tony mentioned if have found the majority of 50 year old half ton spindles Ive seen have egg shaped holes. I mention half ton because I think by design, the "floating bushings" in half tons cause this condition to be more likely. This could be a problem for needle bearings. I like to replace the "floating bushings" with slightly oversize ones that will press in and then ream/hone to size.

To: Whitelightning

I did not read your post that way originally, now that you explained it, I can see where you were coming from and I appologize for my comment.

Thank Formula1,
When I look at it myself, it probably was
the wrong way to word the question.
I'll have to check out Chevy Duty Website.
I usually get parts from Jim Carter or at the
Canfield Swap meet in Ohio.

Checked out Chevy Duty, great website. I
think I'll have to get a catalog when I start putting this truck back together.