Automann kingpins for Freightliner

Gonna be doing kingpins on a 2014 Cascadia using Automann kingpin kit. Has anybody used them before o.e.m is backordered and automann is half the cost. What's everyone's opinions?

 

I'd try to find the Stemco pins that have the grease grooves carved in them if I were you.

 

In general, i stay away from Automan and Stemco. The spiral Stemco bushings will never be as tight as a reamed bushing.

People just like em cause they're easier

 

I agree on the Stemco/Kaiser kits.

Are the Automann kits no ream? If they aren't you will be hating life before you are done.

 

I had the grooved pins on my previous truck and there was zero play thousands of miles later. New owner says they're still tight.

 

The No ream bushings are so hard they will also wear into the knuckle. OEM is best if available.

 

Thank You but a question. I take the knuckle to be the top and bottom of the of the spindle where the bushings are installed? If the bushings are tight there should be no movement and no wear between the bushing and the spindle. I am talking solid brass. I like and use those. Used to use OEM but had to take them to a machine shop and have them reamed. When I was in the city that was fine but I moved to the sticks. An hour to take them there and an hour to pick them up. I use the Kysor no ream. The ones with yellow teflon in the brass or solid white ones are trash. Just my opinion. Those stainless spiral deals are cool to install but are major spindle eaters. Have you seen problems with the Kysor no ream solid brass bushings?

 

We used the the no ream kits for years without issues. I never cared for the spiral bushings either. The only time we used them is if there were no other option.

 

I guess I didn't know there was any other no ream kits other than the stainless spiral bushings. Those are what I was referring too.

@BoxCarKidd, Most factory kits I've used had the yellow nylon spiderweb. Yeah, a PITA to fit, but they last forever from my experience.

 

I think they were called a Kysor plus kit, they had solid drive in bushings that were no ream. Once in a while you had to hit them with a flapper wheel was about all.