Steer kingpin movement limit?

Are you sure the movement isn’t from the wheels bearings ? If any……

 

It's a two man job because you can't see the knuckle moving and using the pry bar simultaneously. I'd say anything over 1/4 inch would be too much. If you're doing it solo you could very well be seeing/feeling wheel bearing endplay.

 

Hope you don't have an international prostar. They’ll change the whole front axle.

 

It is not upward movement. It is more back and forth. Watch this short video for a demonstration of kingpin wear.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/iphXJ1rKssU?feature=share

 

They will always have some sort of play that you'll be able to feel and some of that play comes from the wheel bearings unless you recently set them at 0 thousandths on a dial indicator.

If you can see it moving more than a quarter inch or so I'd say replacement them or try to grease them good and try again. If your tire wear is ok I wouldn't worry about it.

 

So from the wheel end you can tell the difference between loose wheel bearings and loose king pins? I doubt that.

My trick is to set my phone to video and set it up on the inside, then move the wheel. You'll find out for sure where it's moving

 

Or a lonestar. It costs a good $2500 minimum.

 

You’re not worried about vertical movement as there’s no way not to have that. Your are worried about moving the pin on its axis. Don’t stick the bar under the tire but through a hole in wheel on to the top of drum. Then pry. As stated above you need to determine is slack in wheel end or the steering knuckle