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Front end rebuild snag

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sparkydave

sparkydave

Jedi Knight
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Does anyone have some words of wisdom on removing the dowel pin on the lower kingpin pivot? I've managed to flatten the end of the threaded part, but I really need it to come out. Now I have a new kingpin and the new pivot pin, but I can't get it separated from the A-arm yet. I already have a spridget specialist who is willing to press the new kingpin bushes in and ream them, so I may just take the whole mess to him and have him do this part too, but if anyone has some tips on removing it, that would be helpful. I'm sure the one on the left side will be just as stuck.

-Dave
 
good morning sparkydave,
these can ge a real PITA. i have done a couple and currently have two more i am trying to do. that pin is case hardened and usually gets bound up in there pretty good, The bad news is that if you do get them out, the cups in the a-arm my not be any good. i have succesfuly replaced these cups, well i did the first one and then figured for the money a new a-arm was well worth it. atached a pic of how i started to drill one out. there is not much left of the pin and i have v-grips on the pin trying to move it but all they do is spin on the pin (hardened). my next step here will be a torch to apply some heat to the cups and hopefully loosen it up. you might try an impact driver. it may work, but then again you have to be careful not to dameage the blind cup when you hammer on the top of the pin. since you have new kingpins, cut the old ones of with a grinder. it will help when it is not in the way, plus the little taperd pin will come out then as well. Good Luck


mark
 
Dave,
Who are you using to press in the set up the new kingpin bushings? I'm about to start the same rebuild on my 76 and will probably need to replace them as well. I haven't done any research yet to see if there is anyone local that can do it but it never hurts to have alternatives...
JC
 
Thanks SU, but I'm a little confused. Why would you be drilling out the big pin? I'm talking about the little pin that keeps the big pin from turning inside the kingpin. Right now, the big pin turns fine inside the A-arm cups, so I'm not too worried about it coming out, unless there's something I'm not realizing about it. Or does the big pin usually seize onto the kingpin?

JC, I was going to Winner's Circle here in Cleveland (www.spridgets.com), since a few folks I know recommended them. They have a machine shop too, but they carry parts for spridgets too. I had a little trouble finding someone who had the Midget kingpin reamer, since the other British car specialists nearby only had the MGB reamer.
 
Thanks Dave, I like I said, I haven't tore into mine yet. I am hoping to find that I won't need to replace the bushings but I'm pretty sure that will not be the case. The front end is actually pretty tight but the rubber needs to be replaced for sure. I didn't think that the rebuild would be all that involved when I forked out the dough for the kits...lol. I should have known better. Good luck with your rebuild and keep us posted on how it goes.
JC
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif I didn't think it would be all that involved either, but after it took a few hours of coaxing the A-arm pivot pins out of the brackets on the frame, I changed my mind. All I can say at this point is get lots of PB Blaster and a big hammer for those pins. The metal inserts in the rubber bushings are probably frozen onto the pins, so that makes it difficult. Along with the aforementioned pin that's giving me grief right now.
 
See thats what happens when i am up way to early...sorry bout that i misunderstood ya. the pin you are talking about is the tapered pin, Have you tried drilling it out? some times a good drift punch and a large hammer, and plenty of rust penatrant will do it. since it is tapered once you get it to break loose it will fall out...

mark
 
Well, after much whacking at the A-arm pins, I've got both A-arms out of the car. Ended up having to use my friend's sawzall to cut through one of the pins. Also found out why my right side was making noise; the shock is bone dry and pretty much wasted. Now how did it leak without showing any signs of leaking? Oh well, I have a new one coming. Also gave up trying to drive out the frozen pins, so I'll pay the man to take the A-arms apart in addition to replacing the kingpin bushings. At least I'm not missing driving it right now since we just got over a foot of snow!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
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