Technical New Kingpin Renewal kit...

[jolly500]

Hi
I've just received this kit to renew the kingpins. The old grooved metal washers have been replaced, in this kit, with what appears to be hard plastic ones.
What's the consensus - with all the stress being on the top, I find it hard to believe the plastic (if that's what they are), will last very long.

Also, if I do decide to reuse the 2 metal ones, should the grooves be on top or at the bottom?

Thanks
Steve

 

[the hobbler]

Hi
I've just received this kit to renew the kingpins. The old grooved metal washers have been replaced, in this kit, with what appears to be hard plastic ones.
What's the consensus - with all the stress being on the top, I find it hard to believe the plastic (if that's what they are), will last very long.

Also, if I do decide to reuse the 2 metal ones, should the grooves be on top or at the bottom?

Thanks
Steve

Personally, I would say that any 'non-metal' washers are a total waste of time! I would put the 'lubrication grooves against the bigger surface, beit the king-pin holder or the stub axle. On the original 'Factory' king-pins I am sure that the lubrication groove went further round the pin in order that grease could completely extend over the pin. I also seem to remember that there was a small hole drilled though the lubrication slots (1 top, 1 bottom) so that the grease could get into the centre of the king-pin and then out into the slots. We also had a LOOOONG adjustable reamer so that BOTH of the bushes could be reamed out to the correct clearance IN A STRAIGHT LINE. The easiest way to remove the core-plug at the bottom of the king-pin carrier is to drilla large hole in the centre of it---this way as you knock the king-pin out the core-plug basically collapses in, and come out without damaging its retaining lip.