Needle Bearing King Pin Replacement

[Guest BobOlds]

In the process of a rebuild and ran across a company selling new king pin kits with needle bearings instead of the plain bushings. Has anyone had experience with these? Is it worth doing? Other than cost, the only downside I see is that the pin itself is smaller in diameter in the area of the needle bearings.

Thanks,

Bob

[rocketraider]

This month's (Aug 06) Cars & Parts has a tech article on this very topic. Their take is that you'll notice some handling improvement using the needle bearing type bushing but it can be tricky to install correctly and not pinch the bearing rollers when pressing the bushing into the kingpin.

They also recommended converting from lever shocks to modern tube shocks if you change to needle bearing bushings, though they didn't give a firm reason.

Mag should still be on the newsstand if you don't subscribe to it.

[Guest BobOlds]

Thanks for the reply! I don't subscribe and will try to find the mag on the newstand. One of the advantages I found interesting is that it would save finding reamers for the stock type bushings.

Bob

[RocketDude]

I'm rebuilding my front end right now, also. I'd be interested in the web address of the company selling the bearing type king pins you mentioned.

I went to Barnes & Noble bookstore today, but was unable to locate the magazine mentioned above. Magazines are usually dated two months ahead, so August '06 is probably long gone.

I emailed "Cars and Parts" magazine, to see if I can purchase a back issue. I'm waiting for their answer.

Thanks you.....

[Guest BobOlds]

I found the August issue on a local newstand rack. The company is Stainless Steel Brakes. Do a web search and then click on "Street Rod Products" and you'll find Kingpins listed. The aren't cheap at $229 for the kit and so far I haven't found anyone else that stocks the Olds kit. Summit Racing has a nonOlds kit for $209.

[RocketDude]

Thanks for the info. I found the Stainless Steel Brake site, but couldn't find anything about the kit. Now I know where to look, so I'll try again.

I couldn't find the mag at Barnes & Noble, so I called the publisher. $6.00 bucks for the book, $6 bucks for shipping, so i'm in deep already. For $12 bucks, I'll read the damned book, cover to cover, twice..!

Thanks.....

[rocketraider]

Go ahead and subscribe while you're into it! I think you'd come out cheaper, but that Aug 06 issue should still be on the stands. I usually find mags like this at small, locally owned bookstores. B&N generally stock only "hot" magazines, i.e. whatever the current flavor of the month is. You can find all grades of lowrider mags there...

[RocketDude]

I think I will take your suggestion, and see if they will take the $12. I paid for one issue, off of the price of a sucscrition. They offer a free mag to look at, to subscribe, soooo...

I went to the giant book store at the mall, and no luck, so I figured it was easier to over pay, than to chase my cute little butt all over town trying to find that issue. I'm cheap, but I'm lazy, too!

[Guest BobOlds]

Just a follow-up on the Stainless Steel Brakes needle bearing kingpins. Really nicely engineered kit and they go togther pretty easily. One word of caution. Be sure that you have the last needle bearings aligned perfectly straight with the kingpin before driving them into the spindle over the kingpin. I got a bit sloppy on the second spindle and paid the price. Replacement parts are on order. Good people to deal with.