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I can't seem to find a king pin & bushings set that will fit my 50 1/2 ton. I have ordered 3 sets and the bushings all were to loose in the spindle. the way I remember the bushings should able to be pressed in by hand not requiring a press. All the ones I've tried have practically fallen in and move around so easily it's impossible to keep the hole for the grease fitting lined up. My old kingpins fit in the new bushings great, so it seems like I need bushings with over-sized outer diameter. Is there kits with standard size kingpins and over-sized bushings, and if so where can I get it? I did see this could this be it? Oreily

Bowtie john,

What you describe is a very common problem. The journals/seats in the spindles get "wallowed out" over the years of use. No one has reported here an over-sized outer diameter bushing with the other apprpriate dimensions (I hope I am wrong and someone provides part information).

It would be helpful if someone with a parts book with king pin bushing sizes would be willing to take the time to find a bushing with a pin diameter equal to the original and/or .010/.020 oversized, and an outer diameter larger than the original (by how much ?), and an apropriate bushing height. Good luck?

You will have to do what many of us have tried to do - find NOS spindles (more good luck would be needed), or find good used spindles (getting rarer every day).

By the way, if you have that kind of wear in the spindles, do you have wallowed out holes in the axle? Do the king pins fit tightly in the axle?

Check your service manual... the 1/2 tons have fully floating bushings, they slip in the spindles and are free to move, not press in, and they're also already a slip fit on the king pin.

You can make oversize bushings.
A decent solution if not terribly worn is Loctite 660 to fix the bushings in the spindles.

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=732207

https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=819843

Grigg

Tim, as you stated this seems to be a common problem and one I faced as well. I don't know why a perfectly round hole would get wallowed out so oversized bushings alone seems a half solution. The local machine shops could ream the spindles I had to size but couldn't guarantee proper alignment after reaming.

I sent my spindles to Sid at http://www.droppedaxles.com/. He reamed them properly and fitted oversized bushings for a pretty reasonable rate. They came back perfect. I have dealt with just about every vendor mentioned on this list and Sid is one of the best.

Chuck

Sid is hands down one of the nicest guys on the plannet. Class act all the way and knows his shtuff thru and thru.

I used that kit a few years ago on my 50 1/2 ton. I don't remember it being that expensive.

The bushing has a groove on the entire O.D. for the grease.

I had a nice snug fit on the bushing, didn't need to press them in. It came with a shim kit but I didn't need any.
Try a fit up and check for excessive play.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/kingpins.htm

good luck