lower fulcrum pin question

[mrsprite]

OK.....I am doing a ton of work to the Bugeye (valve job, new gaskets, new oil pump, new suspension bushings, muffler, brakes, hydraulics, etc) and when I had the lower control arms off to do the bushings, I noticed some play in the lower fulcrum pin. I'm guessing it should be tight, but I have never had one of these apart before.....how loose or tight should they be? I am getting some side to side movement.

Also, what exactly wears out on these? Is it the fulcrum pin itself or the hole in the a-arm? I can replace the pins for $20 a side, but if it's the a-arm then I need to hit a junkyard! There's a '77 Midget nearby that I can grab the control arms off of if need be.

BTW....it's a Bugeye with the later disc brake front end.


Thanks.

 

[tosoutherncars]

No, there shouldn't be any wear in the fulcrum pin. When they don't get greased, they seize, and wear. You probably won't be able to get the pin out of the arm without cutting or drilling it out.

The female threads that the fulcrum pin threads into are in a hollow tube that is brazed into the A-arm. The female threads wear. If you *can* get the pin out, have a good look.

The arm itself, or the whole kingpin ass'y can be sent in for rebuilding. I believe Peter C. offers this. The hollow tubes with the female thread are also available, but a difficult job to cut out and braze in, unless you happen to be a machinist.