Regarding fitting kin pin bushings, I earlier said "nuf sed" I lied.
It is a misconception to think that king pin fit in bushings is critical. It does need to be right, but it is not in the class with piston fit in cylinders or bearing shell fit in big ends of connecting rods. It is much more tolerant than those critical 'fits. I now recall that 1949-54 Chevrolet passenger cars have king pin bushings that are full floating in the spindle and full floating on the pin. No press in fit for bushings, no ream or hone to fit on pins. Just slip them in. Takes minutes. And they, too, will last forever if the owner will keep them greased. Manufacturers, in my experience, specify a fixed reamer, that is, a non adjustable reamer, for king pin (also called spindle bolt) bushing sizing. Ford for an outstanding example. Ford used the same fixed king pin reamer beginning with 1928 Model A cars until the last 1953 Ford passenger cars with king pins. Ball joints came in 1954 on Fords, except that pickups kept king pins for many years in the Twin I Beam front end. An adjustable reamer is an old time mechanic's tool for opening up bushings that won't accept the pin unless reamed a bit larger. They are not intended for reaming to a precise size, and can't be set to cut a precise size. To set one to a particular size fairly close would require a ground ring gauge and lots of time spent setting. The way they are used is to ream and try. Reset. Ream and try again. Once the pin fits the way you want it, stop. You can fit king pin bushings this way, simply because the fit is not critical, but it is not a very good way. It is better than some makeshift alternatives I can conceive. __________________________________________________ Wed, 10 Oct 2007 13:50:49 -0500 "Tom Hargrave" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote Subject: Re: [MBZ] King pin installation Fit is critical. Too tight and it will gall. Too loose and you will have too much play and excelerated wear. Thanks, Tom 256-656-1924 "Robert Bigham" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote Re: [MBZ] King pin installation And the fit is not critical, although there are specifications. A nice oiled slip fit or no tighter than a light thumb push fit is what you need. _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new parts see official list sponsor: http://www.buymbparts.com/ For used parts email [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
