Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I think the pins are case-hardened, so machining or grinding may not be an option. (?)

Under-size bushings make assembly difficult, since the standard size portion of the pin will not pass through the under-size bushing(s).

I had the same problem. I just went to a machine shop that deals with large trucks. SOP for them to sleeve axle ends on trucks to fit standard size kingpins. Those large rigs beat the heck out of their front ends.
Had it done in two days due to shop load, may take longer/shorter depending on who you find. Check your local yellow pages/search engine for machine shops in your area and call them with your needs. It will mean removal of the parts to transport them to the shop.
Like it has been mentioned already, NO play is allowed in the axle or by the time you get to the OD of your tire it will wobble uncontrollably and affect all aspects of steering, braking, and tracking along with ruined (and expensive) tires.
Bob J.

I installed the old King Pins (.866) dia. and new bushings and the wobble is gone. I had to clean-up one end of the old King Pin and ream an oversized bushing to fit. Took about .006 of the end of the pin with a carbide cutting tool- took 45 minutes, tough/hardened pin. Have not got a response from Max Meritt regarding their undersized king pins (.862).

I'm encountering a similar issue with a 1937 120C. The kingpins are tight in the spindle bushings, but there is play in what Packard seems to call the wheel support. I think its the same as what has been referred to as the steering knuckle. I see it as the upright that the spindle attaches to.

Any idea if I can use an oversize kingpin to match the wear in the support/knuckle/upright? Then ream the spindle bushings to match?

Don - the armchair answer is yes - but as you can understand from others, I would first continue with diagnosis, of course focusing on where the pin goes through the wheel support. Likely gonna have to take it apart as others have to ultimately measure the pin/bushings and hole in the wheel support....

Advise.

DAF

So here is what I have found. The kingpin measures .862 as would make sense. Maybe the alignment of the kingpin through the spindle isn't the greatest. May be the spindle is tweaked. However, the hole in the wheel support measures between .865 and .866. I'm guessing somewhere along the line the standard pins were fit but no one really checked? This car was nicely cosmetically restored years ago, but not mechanically restored. I have been through a number of the subsystems that needed attention. So I'm assuming an oversight at some point in the past.

So I'm looking for .867 pins and ream/hone to size?

Does anyone know where I can get some of the 0.867", 0.005" oversize kingpins?
Max Merritt didn't seem to know much about what they had.

Thanks

You may just need a thicker bushings reamed to fit your existing pin.

You may want to try a place that does large truck suspensions.

Yeah the issue is the wheel support is oversize at 0.867". The spindle bushings are fine, but there aren't any bushings in the wheel support.

If there isn't a source for 0.867" kingpins then I might have to disassemble the wheel support and have bushings fitted in the wheel support for the 0.862" pins.

But you may be able to have that sleved.