I am redoing the front end of my '51 3/4 ton and had ordered a kingpin set (sorry to say not from Classic Parts). Anyway, I was expecting to receive a ball bearing type thrust bearing with the kit but instead I received a thrust bearings that seemed to be comprised of bronzed washers with little grooves in them and some dust shields. When I attempted to assemble the bearings, not really knowing what I was doing, they seemed very thin (maybe 1/4 inch) and I was left with alot of room between my my axle and the steering knuckle (about 1/2 inch). I was expecting more like .005! Do you think the company sent me the wrong kit? When I consulted my shop manual it seems that this kit may be for a 2 ton or schoolbus. Thanks for any help! I am a newbie and a little lost- Ed
It's time for a gander in the parts book to see ~ I know that you shouldn't have hardly any up & down play but it's been far too long since I had one apart to recall quite how it goes back to-gether . I know some trucks have nifty radial roller bearing thrust washers , I like those as they make for easy steering no matter the load . I assume it wasn't this loose when you took it apart . The thrust washer goes on top of the spindle but the shims go below it so they don't get worn out quickly . Remember to coat every single piece with EP grease like white Lithium or equiv. before assembly .
All i can tell you is the 1/2 ton has a thick (1/4 to 3/8 inch) bearing assembly that sits in the top of axle and you shim the play out with 15thou and smaller shims, sounds like you should have this instead of what you have. could it be you have a 1/2 ton axle in your truck? ________ BIG TITS INDIAN
Never considered that but mebbe you are right... my axle is attached on the bottom (road side) of the leaf spring. I thought the 1/2 ton axles were attached to the top side (truck side) of the leaf spring. Could a 1/2 ton axle be attached to the bottom of the spring as mine are???
You might try measuring the height of the i-beam as well as the width to determine if it is a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton. The 1/2 height is 2 1/8 inches, the 3/4 ton is 2 1/4. The width on the 1/2 ton is 1 3/4 inches, the 3/4 ton is 2 inches.
Thanks guys - I did measure the I beam and it is indeed a 3/4 ton. I am gonna order a king pin set from a reputable parts biz (as in C.P.) and compare the two kits. I suspect the other guys were just plain wrong- Ed
