New Kingpins - Too Tight!

Some bushings are nylon, and will not need reaming. Others are brass, and when pressed, or knocked into the axle, will have to be reamed out with a reamer bit to match the diameter of the kingpin. I can't see how a kingpin can be knocked into a bushing that is too tight. I guess it's possible to do by someone that knows nothing about the process.

You don't suppose they tightened the steering box too tight while they were doing the kingpins? If there was still play in the steering after the kingpin replacement, that would be the next place to go after loose tie rod ends and drag links were eliminated as possibilities.

That truck needs to be looked at by someone other than the person that did the original work.

 

I don't know what kind of axle this is. Mine is a Meritor and the kingpins "screw in". I don't mean they screw in with a phillips head screwdriver. They do have groves in them like a screw.

I've been wanting to replace them. I can get the axle set for $400. Kenworth wants $900 labor to install them. Sounds weird. I guess it's a pain in the rear to change them.

 

I agree with everything STRANGER said I would also add get it greased, and if you have to stop, at a vehicle inspection stop check, and ask them to look at them.
I doubt it is the steering box that would bind at the full turn position.
They could have put the bearing at the top, do have it checked, and write it in your log on every pre trip and submit it. If you do not cover your backside, should a problem come about they will play dumb for sure.

 

I didn't think of the bearing being put on the top. A very good possibility. Great thought.

 

Gentelmen! 5th wheel repare kits and kingpins are different and sometomes, especially SAF ore Jost kingpint are too tight when were just repared. Thousend miles and everething is Ok!

 

thats makes sense about reaming a brass bushing....Iv only seen nylon installed and never seen them reemed and did not make sense to ream nylon. Gotcha!

 

i havnt done any of the newer style--just the brass--but they also had a bit of nylon as well iirc----
not sure if i like the idea of driving a thousand miles with crapping steering to wear them in
what happens after 2 thousand miles?--are they worn out?

 

I have had that problem once to a lesser degree when new king pins have been installed.I was also told to give it a few hundred miles to correct.It worked and that old Mack retired with those same king pins about 10 years later.It was a bit unnerving with no memory on the steering.If it is not to dangerous give it a few days.The high spots should quickly work down under the extreme pressure if this is the problem.

 

did anyone check the front end for grease, I know it sounds stupid but i've seen it before, make sure it has grease, grease the darn thing yourself that way you know for sure. If it still doing the same thing then get the front end on jacks and recheck, can also disconnect the steering shaft at the steering gear box and isolate it to either a front end issue or steering shaft issue. I have seen a lot of poorly diagnosed frontend/steering issues before.

 

note to self, a front end should never have to "wear in", it either right or its wrong.