My old bushings where delrin & old pins had about. Taking it apart was easy, first you take everything off the spindle(tie rod arms & brake backing plate and the little 7/16 taper pin that looks the kingpin in), then they just tapped out, once you pound them out the kingpin just needs a few light taps & its out. I had already removed the axle as I thought that I was going to need to get it machined, but it was only the 4 U-bolts extra work anyway. I also could not find a machine shop in this town of 25000 that could do the reaming, so I ordered the #8454N. They had a listing for M300 #8454N or #8454B (the last digit N or B, standing for Nylon (Delrin) or Brass. I then went to another jobber who sells MOOG suspension parts(a devision of Federal-Mogul). I could not wait 5 or 6 days for them to order #.1465 from back east as we are getting company from OZ (The land down under). I ordered a king bolt kit from NAPA (#2621562) & it was the wrong one, I think NAPA # 2621465 may be the right one? The book that our NAPA dealer has is vary confusing as it lists D300 with 4500lb axle-also M300 = #2621562, & then it lists P300 with 4500lb axle-also M300 = #2621465. I checked everything that Denison mentioned in his last post (message Cool, except I didnt change tires front to back.(my toe in was just under a 1/16th but increasing it to 1/8th didn't help). This thread follows up on Denisons thread Kingpin Bushing Wear-1 & to some degree Winnie goes a Drifting & front end shake.

My guess is a ton of money is spent on bushings that do not need to be replaced due to many front end techs not knowing the acceptable tolerances on our old Dodges. I'm wondering if you replaced your bushings or are still using sight inspection and plenty of grease. I noticed several of the customers having work done on their rigs were return customers as well. The price didn't sound too bad considering the job and this shop impressed me with their professionalism, fair advice, and service. They quoted a total price of $495 for a Kaiser 'no ream' king pin kit and installation. If and when I need the job done, I will try to return to this shop for the repair. So, it appears the info you posted indicating 1/4' play tolerance is correct, and, your suggesting greasing often is crucial to assure longevity of the king pin bushings is also VERY good advice. I told the front end man I had the rig DOT inspected in NC when I bought the rig back in 2004 and the play was about 1/8 inch way back then.about 15,000 miles ago. The main issue was to not let the king pin wear through the bushing and then wear on the I-beam or the knuckle.

He said to keep and eye on tire wear and to keep them well greased.I grease everything about every 2 to 3K miles. They tightened the nut on the steering arm and checked the tow for $60 and I was in and out in a little over an hour.Īlso, the front end man there had me look at about 1/8 inch play in both side king pins. Front End & RV Services Unlimited on Pascal Drive in Punta Gorda. With the tools I have, I couldn't budge the nut in or out so yesterday I took the rig to Mr.

Recently, while in our present camp Punta Gorda, I jacked up the front end and found the play in the steering arm.

No problem while on level ground and tire wear is normal. I noticed it coming off the NC mountains heading south for the winter as under heavy braking I would get a shimmy that I couldn't stop until I was slowed way down.sort of a harmonic shimmy of sorts. Just took my Dodge M-500 in to have the steering arm to knuckle bolt tightened.

King pins and bushings