New use for used King pin bushes.
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2024 12:37 am
In a recent post I mentioned using worn kingpin bushes as replacement tie rod end bushes. These photos show why it was done on the barn fresh tourer on which I have been working.
The spindle arm ends were severely worn down by the loose tie rod ends bouncing around on rough country roads, so replacements were found.
These photos show how the tie rod yokes were worn.
These too were replaced with better parts.
I used two of the used king pin bushes to make new tie rod end bushes.
I machined down the diameter of the original bush head and its thickness, before drilling and reaming the bush to suit the tie rod bolt.
Then I cleaned up the tie rod yoke faces by hand filing them flat and as square as I could. The bushes were then worked down to fit between the yoke ends, before being fitted to the arms.
The reduced T on top of the bushing allows the tie rod to run on it as a thrust face, reducing wear at that point. The bush also protrudes a little at the bottom, so there is bronze on steel contact at that point too.
This allows the reclamation of worn but otherwise still usable Ford parts, while improving the application. There is no way I will ever use one of the split steel bushes ever again.
Allan from down under.
These photos show how the tie rod yokes were worn.
I used two of the used king pin bushes to make new tie rod end bushes.
Then I cleaned up the tie rod yoke faces by hand filing them flat and as square as I could. The bushes were then worked down to fit between the yoke ends, before being fitted to the arms.
The reduced T on top of the bushing allows the tie rod to run on it as a thrust face, reducing wear at that point. The bush also protrudes a little at the bottom, so there is bronze on steel contact at that point too.
This allows the reclamation of worn but otherwise still usable Ford parts, while improving the application. There is no way I will ever use one of the split steel bushes ever again.
Allan from down under.