New use for used King pin bushes.

[Allan]

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.

[Humblej]

Brilliant idea.

[TXGOAT2]

Very nice...

[AndyClary]

I have a bucket of used bushings, a worn out large bushing is a new small one.

Andy

[Allan]

You can make use of old bushings in many ways. For my 40th birthday a good model T friend presented me with a beautiful set of used, original transmission bushings, all carefully re machined on all surfaces. They were really pretty!

Allan from down under.