kingpins

[Michael Eker]

How easy/hard is it to R'n R kingpins and ream the new bushes.

I have a suitable piloted adjustable reamer, heavy bench vice, and a complete set of

sockets.

I don't have a hydraulic press, as shown in the manual, and am planning to use sockets

and the vice to push the new bushes out and in.

Or would I be better to:

A. Post the stub axles and kingpin kits to a 356 specialist.
B. Take them to a local beetle and Camper garage.

meker

[Ron LaDow]

Michael,

"How easy/hard is it to R'n R kingpins and ream the new bushes."

The end play on the spindle is set with a selected thrust washer. Unless you have a selection or a surface grinder to change the thickness, you'll have a hard time getting it right. That's a job I buy.
Thanks,
Ron LaDow

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[charles kourmpates]

Or would I be better to:A. Post the stub axles and kingpin kits to a 356 specialist.
B. Take them to a local beetle and Camper garage.

You certainly don't need a 356 specialists for this task.

However, I do suggest you "farm' them out. Any good automotive machine shop or a VW mechanic, in your neighborhood, can easily pull it off. Or, you can mail them to a 356 Shop. Preferably, one who's owner's participate in the Registry Forum.

I should have farmed mine out. :mrgreen: But I did have guidance.

BTW. I have an extra set of king pins and bushings. I also have the link pin bushings.

Do you need these parts?

Charles

[Michael Eker]

Thanks, having bought the kingpin kit and the piloted reamer I will have a bash.

If I mangle it I can still post it off to an approved specialist.

One book I have here, written in 1968, makes no mention of reaming.

I wonder if the original kingpin kits were machined ready to fit?

Here is what it says:

"STEERING KNUCKLE AND STUB AXLE
The bushings of the steering knuckle can be pressed out; the bores of the bushings are checked by gauge VW259. Hole in bushing must line up with grease nipple. Check clearanceof king pin in its bushings. If pressing in new king pin bushings, insert bushings from inside of steering knuckle. Line upthe groovein the upper bushing with that in knuckle or file in a groove if there is none. Heat stub axle in oil bathe to 176 degrees and press in king pin. Steering knuckle must swivel freely by hand."

meker

[Guest]

There a few special tools required to replace the king pins. Reamers and
you need a selection of thrust shims to set the play correctly. You also
need to replace the link pins at the same time. Give it to a good shop.

Alan

Michael Eker wrote:

How easy/hard is it to R'n R kingpins and ream the new bushes.

I have a suitable piloted adjustable reamer, heavy bench vice, and a
complete set of

sockets.

I don't have a hydraulic press, as shown in the manual, and am
planning to use sockets

and the vice to push the new bushes out and in.

Or would I be better to:

A. Post the stub axles and kingpin kits to a 356 specialist.
B. Take them to a local beetle and Camper garage.

meker




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[Al Zim]

It takes between 10 and 20 tons to push the king pin out. If you are real good with the ream, you can push the King pins in with the same amount of force. If Things are not aligned, the spindle will bind on rotation. It is slightly less than 500 for us to do the work whch includes measuring the position of the pitman arm and the streightness of the C link. It takes about 4 hours to do the work.
If you are in a bind for the proper shim (to add) wou can trim up a used link pin shim and use it. I would also change the device that holds the speedo cable to the later 944 style. al zim