Simplify Your Steering: Bushings to Bearings

2. The new kingpin (left) is longer and has different diametersthan the original.

3. (next two photos) Clean up all the existing parts before trying to install anyof the parts from the kit. It will produce much better results, and youwon't have to worry about dirt getting in the bearings. Press thebearings into the upper portion of the spindle. Because the kingpinisn't uniform in diameter, you can't install the lower bearings into thespindle at this time.

4. (next two photos) The bearing between the spindle and knuckle is installed withthe lip facing the knuckle, and then the kingpin is slid into place fromthe bottom. Be careful. The groove for centering the kingpin is not atan equal distance from the ends. The longer side should go to the bottomset of spindle bearings. There are shims supplied with the kit ifnecessary; our set did not require any.

5. (next three photos) Install the centering pin to keep the kingpin in place. Thecentering pin doesn't have a head on the end and, when we tightened thenut, the centering pin pulled through. Stainless Steel Brakes has seenthis happen on a few worn knuckles, and sent us a knurled centering pinthat would not pull out.