Hey guys, my 93 1 ton has the 4,500 pound Dana 60 front axel. I found the nylon bearing for the top king pin but the only person that I can find that carries the lower king pins is the dealer. The dealer said they are hard to get and it could take a while to get them in and they were like $300 to repair each side doing it myself. Anybody know any alternatives? Any help appriated.

 

I bought complete king pin rebuild kits from these guys.

http://www.ringpinion.com/default.asp

I couldn't find the kits on their site, but if you call they will know what your talking about.

 

Most of the kingpin rebuild kits only include the upper kingpin.

If they are loose it is almost always due to the bushings, bearings and accessories rather than the actual kingpins themselves.

Some people rebuild them and leave the upper and lower kingpins and just use all the accessories and have tightened them up very nicely.

When you look a the kingpins it is very difficult to find wear and tear on them or even imagine how it would occur

http://www.4wdfactory.biz/osc2.2/pro...b0ec2aba28bdc1

 

This writeup takes you through step by step and is very complete.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...pin/index.html

 

Parts Mike Parts has everything you need for the front axle, at the lowest prices I found. All genuine Spicer parts.

Check out his web site before you buy . . .

His shipping was fast and reasonable to me, too.

PARTS MIKE

 

Quad 4x4 has kits and parts also. Really the only thing I would replace is the upper bushing and the spring. Unless the lower bearing is significantly worn, which mine weren't, at 270K and mountain driving.

 

Somehow I thought the later first-gens had ball joints rather than king pins. Learn something new every day

 

Some one is giving you a line of crap about $300 to repair yourself. I did everything in the front of my CTD. Upper lower kingpins, bushings, wheel bearings, spindle bearings, seals, front axle ujoints, the works. got it all from 4wdfactory. for under $350. You probably only need lower king pin bearings and upper bushings. Not the lower and upper king pin themselves.

 

Wow thanks for all the posts guys. I already replaced the upper bushings and everything else seemed to be fine. However when I took the lower kingpins off they both had noticable step that appeared to be worn in it. Unless they come that way but I'm a machinist and it doesn't looks more like wear and tear than turned. Maybe I'm wrong though. Unfortuatly I didn't think to check out the bearings because I couldn't see them. Do I take it back apart and rebuild it or do I just run it? It feel like it wants to sway a little bit though. should I replace the bad sway bar bushings and maybe get a steering stabilizer? Please help!!

 

Did you replace the lower king pin plate. (bottom plate with a boss on it). If this has wear you need to replace it, and the bearing is probably stuck. (which would wear the boss). That would also compound the problem to your new upper bushings which will wear premature. Look up pirate4x4.com and read the article on kingpin replacement. Good picts of stuff. If you have the time take the lower plate off and under that is a seal. (gooffy looking thing) try and get it out with out damage (unlikely) and the bearing is under that. check the fit with bearing and kingpin. Replace as needed.

 

Also make sure there are no steps/flat spots on your steering knuckles.

Mine did, so I replaced the knuckles with new ones from Dedenbear.

Just something to look out for. BTW, howdya like that SIX HUNDRED foot pounds on the upper king pins!

 

Thanks for all the help and information guys. I don't know where I'd be without experienced wrenchers.

 

I grease my truck every 3,000 miles yet tonight when I jacked it up I checked up and down play of my kingpins and was shocked to see 1/8"+ of movement. Is there just one or two parts that usually wear out?

Looks like I can order the complete kit from the link above for both sides for around $120, not bad.

My left front tire does wear a little on the inside and when I hit the brakes it pulls to the right and makes a caliper rattling/pop sound from the left side.
Maybe this will cure these issues?

 

GLHS, I'd guess either King Pin bushings/bearings, or wheel bearings.

 

On my W350 the spring on top of the tapered nylon bushing is what holds everything in place. I don't feel that much vertical play is that bad as long as you are not doing a lot of off road driving which could allow dirt and junk past the lower seal into the bottom bearing. You can throw a shim in above the spring to decrease the travel and increase spring pressure as long as it doesn't cause binding. I replaced the nylon bushing, and spring two years ago. It was straight forward and easy with the proper tools.
There is a kit available that comes with a redesigned upper king pin that is adjustable to set camber. The kit is expensive but it might be worth it in some cases.