The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline kingpin thrust bearing

I need some help with this. I've got a '53 3/4 ton chevy. My book says "1948 to 1951 models, includes 1952 supplement" and I have never been able to find one that says "1953" specifically (when I search for 1953 manuals this one comes up). I don't think I have one (a truck) with forward controls because it's a 3600 and so far from working on this truck every time I come across something in the book that says "except forward control models" it doesn't apply to mine. However, I just got the kingpins out and according to the book (3-2 paragraph 3) "This bearing is a single row ball bearing on 1/2, 3/4, 1 and 11/2 trucks, except Forward Control models, 11/2 ton School Bus and 2 ton". On those it says "this kingpin thrust bearing consists of two steel thrust washers seperated by a leaded bronze washer".

That's what mine had!? I really don't understand, could this be a difference with the '53 from this book? On the next page it talks about tie rods for the ones with and without forward controls and mine is clearly the one without.

The beginning of the book says the number on the hood for forward controls (3/4 ton) should be 3742. Mine says 3600.

Now the only thing I didn't mention is the guy we bought it from (we're the second owners) ordered it with some advancements not normally on the '53 3600. One of these was he didn't want babbitt bearings in the motor so my 216 had sealed bearings. Could this have been something he ordered too? (He's not around to ask anymore). Any ideas why this is so or am I just blowing this out of proportion?

Just blowing it out of proportion.
King pin thrust bearing type is a minor matter and they could have been swapped at any time in the past almost 60 years. Might be a case of what suitable parts were on the shelf when it needed a king pin kit.

I know for my 2 ton I have a choice of king pin kits from NAPA with different thrust bearing types, I always choose the roller type.

Grigg

i looked up a picture of a truck with "forward controls" - mine is not that (I'm positive after seeing one, not sure why I didn't look one up earlier). The other thing I'm sure about is the last owner did not replace them (we knew what he did when we bought it) so that's what it came with.

I bought a kit to replace them, and since the wahers came off, I got that kit to go back together. I'll be ok with that won't I?

In '53 the thrust bearings were changed to thrust washers, the wheel bearings are different as well, and it was the first year for Bendix brakes on medium duty trucks. Your truck should have 12" brakes on the front, same as 1 tons. Previous year 3/4 tons had 11" Huck style front brakes.

Steve (or anyone),

Is there a shop manual that goes over these changes. I really can't find anything that specifically says 1953. When I search for it (and I have searched every catalogue and info website I can find) that book for the '49-51 w/52 supplement comes up. I would love it if I could get something for the '53. I mean, how am I supposed to know what changes are applicable on my 3/4 ton?

Any ideas?

Paul,
As far as your '53 axles and brakes go, the 1954 Shop manual would apply. The old Motors Truck Repair manuals are good too and cover multiple years.