Loose Front End ....

[George Zeck]

Hi All --

Making some good progress in finishing up some loose ends on my winter projects. About to tackle the last item (where I am quite ignorant on the terminology due to the age of the car) -- the front end.

During normal driving -- if I hit a bump - the car "jumps" on me. While jacked up: move the top / bottom of the tire - I have lots of play. My thoughts are that the bearings are in need of replacement. Someone also mentioned "king pin" to me. What in the heck is this and how can I determine if it needs to be replaced?

Looked in Moss / VB and have an understanding (quite overly generic). Seems as this is an "axle" of sorts that all the suspension floats / hangs off of. How can this wear out?

Have good resistance on the dampeners. Was probably going to pull those and replace the oil and then make the call about replacing them after a few miles.

Have replaced tie rod ends / boots / bushings (inside trunion) last year.

I know all problems can be solved by throwing $$ at it -- just not trying to set a record. Thanks for the advice.

George Zeck

PS -- Haven't driven yet - but replaced rear dampeners and rear bushings.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

HAPPY EASTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RobSelina]

sounds like your wheel bearings are toast based on how much play you have in the tire.

Before you get stock replacements, hopefully Nial or Jeff will jump in since I think they run a timken bearing that's not a dificult conversion....

 

[Morris]

I just went through all this. I think that most likely your wobble is caused by the wear in the outer fulcrum pin which, I am sorry to say, frequently means replacing the a-arm. If you only have up and down wobble and no side to side wobble, it's probably not your bearings. You may be able to pin point the source of the wobble by removing the wheel and looking closely at what moves as you wobble the rotor back and forth. Examing a tear down in your manual or in your Moss/VB catalog will give you a good idea of what parts are what... and where.

 

[spritenut]

You mentioned that you replaced the trunion bushings last year. Is the nut on top of the king pin set correctly?
There are shims that go under the top knuckle.
Too tight and it will not steer, too loose and you will get verticle movement. You can usually feel this problem in the steering wheel as a sort of rattle when you hit a bump or washboard road.
Weak shocks, loose wheel bearings, and work king pins and or fulcrum pin bushings.

 

[George Zeck]

I didn't know there was a"proper setting" for the kingpin nut. My steering is loose (everything is for that matter). Will start looking in that direction.

Tx-

Geo

 

[jcatnite]

Should be shimmed to allow for free movement with just a touch of resistance. Or so the book says. I ended up with between 0.020" and 0.25" on each side. I think it would loosen up as the thrust washer wears.
JC

 

[77_MG_Midget]

JC, only .025 max? Lucky you, my drivers side is at .039 and that's will all new parts (swivel pins, bushings, etc.).

Oh and Geo, the torque spec for the swivel pin (kingpin) castle nuts is 46 ft lbs., so having the trunnion shimmed properly is VERY important.

Finally got the last of my parts order yesterday, so hopefully I'll get to finish my front end rebuild this weekend.