How To Replace Kingpin Bushing And Assemble An Early Ford Front Suspension

[@jimoverschmidt8169]

This is one of the best videos I’ve seen on how to do this. Very well done.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks Jim that means a lot!

[@bobgaylord8883]

Matt, not trying to be a know-it-all, but the first thing I learned 50+ years ago when I started out as a machinist, is to NEVER back a reamer out in reverse. Always keep it turning clockwise (cutting direction), while putting a slight pressure on the reamer to retract it. Probably wouldn't hurt it on bronze bushings, but it'll dull the cutting edge on harder materials. Other than that small observation, your tutorial was spot on! Your vids do a great service, as well as entertain. Thanks for making them.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Good tip. I don’t have formal training so I’m sure I have plenty of bad habits.

[@robertstuhr5436]

I just did the king pins and bushings on a '29 Model A over the weekend and also ran into the oversize reproduction king pins you mentioned. After using the correct .814" reamer which should have been sufficient I still couldn't fit the king pins. Instead of having to buy an adjustable reamer and because I'm a cheap ass I used a brake cylinder hone to take out a thousandth or two and was able to get a perfect tight sliding fit. It took very little time and produced super results.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Yep they work fine, just a bummer when you have the right tool and then the kingpins don’t fit. Glad you worked through it!

[@jeremycronk4725]

That has to be the coolest garage I've seen yet!

[@Paleoman52]

The proper tools are the secret to success! I love those old tools, they were made to last a lifetime! I really enjoyed this video, I always learn something!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@motorfreaknew]

I agree, things were built to last not planned to break after a certain amount of time!

[@ddd228]

@@motorfreaknew I have also use a THREAD FILE. Not fast , but cheap.

[@stevefaltis8989]

Oh, man, you are doin something fun and good, Matt. I did this twice about forty years ago. Sooo much fun!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@bingoshotrods2023]

Awesome how too. One suggestion. Always turn your reamer clockwise on the way out. Counter clockwise will dull it. An old machinist taught me that. Just passing it on keep up the good work best hot rod show on KZbin

[@ajperotti2551]

These front ends are bullet proof if you take the right steps to rebuild them as you just taught us. For us old timers its a refresher course. For the new guys this is a great lesson. Build on everyone. Happy Hot Rodding. Great commentary Matt as usual.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnhartley3596]

Thanks Matt. Great way to start a cold Sunday morning.

[@markrandall1456]

I really like videos like this. When you have no clue (like me), it is great to learn. I'm working on a 51 Willys M38 and have used videos similar to this one from G503 and Metalshaper to completely restore my steering. I learned the hard way that aftermarket steering parts sometimes just aren't right. After a couple of misfires I began to source NOS, and, you guessed it, SUCCESS! Thanks for the education.

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you as I have a 57 Willys station wagon 4x4 that I'll be working on hopefully soon !

[@kevinkenyon7045]

Matt, the video helps to show how the way you go about your work is helping anyone who watches! Thanks for sharing. Kevin

[@handyhippie6548]

that thread chaser tool is both handy and awesome. this entire episode shows that experience and the right tool makes the job easy peasy lemon squeezey.

[@IronTrapGarage]

The right tools make all the difference!!

[@chuckster6513]

Hey Matt Boy, having all those vintage correct tools makes these jobs go so smooth. I have had to do some off brand front axles and make do with what I could find to get the job done. What a pain. Thank you for the demo. It's great to see how easy some of this stuff can be when done right. Be Safe and Well EVERYBODY

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@glennnickerson8438]

Looking good Matt, thanks for the early Ford "sermon". What a nice transformation on a chunk of abused steel and I look forward to seeing you get that body in shape!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks Glenn!

[@1936fordcrazy]

Just pulled my front axle out of my 36 yesterday to get ready to install my drop axle great timing!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Hope it helps!

[@WillyMcCoy50]

Always happy to watch what you do and am grateful for your clear explanations on "the what's & why's". I live in the PNW and aside from the few old timers there really ain't much happening around here. I have noticed that Eastwood really helps out a lot of the builds I watch on KZbin. Thanks Matt!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching! Yea they hook us up with some good tools and supplies!

[@sogdal1]

I can remember doing a lot of those on ford trucks when I was a kid, much like you did, brings back some good memories and some nightmares. Good Job.

[@robjudge181]

This video was a huge help to get me back going on a frontend I blew apart a year ago and life got sidetracked on. Thank you so much for this vid!!!!!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@markcors949]

Hey Matt, thanks for another great morning in the garage. That bushing reamer is a very handy as is the old school thread cutter. You make this look pretty easy. Also, I like your approach of not painting 'til later. It will likely take more time overall which, when weighed against the results and lower stress... good move.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks Mark!

[@mikeyt3940]

Congrats Matt. She is a roller. Anticipating your plan for the rear. Great content as always.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@l33ta2]

Killer how-to video! Massive progress, looking forward to the rear axle cleanup :thumbup:

[@michaelwillette5738]

Matt, you are golden! You never know how some tips and tricks may help in ways you are unaware of. I last did king pin bushes as an 11 yr old(what did I know?) On a 53 ford customline. Independent suspension but still king pin. It helped to watch your processes. I will soon be doing bushes on a 74 F350 2wd twin beam. Again, king pins. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@ddd228]

5/8 " X 18 TPI tool .Totally excellent!

[@henryescat1104]

I Love those old tools that look so cool and work perfectly.

[@mafcawebmaster4237]

Done like a pro!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Just a young guy still learning but I thought I’d take some of the fear or mystery out of the job for other beginners like I was not too long ago. I avoided this job for a long time because it seemed so scary haha

[@henryg683]

Matt your knowledge is priceless thanks for sharing the rebuild process of doing this job you are the best!!!!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks! Just sharing the little bit I know. Not an expert just giving others a heads start!

[@JamesHerndon-r1l]

Excellent instructions, clear and concise, thank you sir!

[@jamiecampbell3068]

Man that's gonna' look so good. Great video. Not that you don't have enough fodder for future videos .. .. but I love looking around your background. That facing wheel rules. All those old tools are kick*ss !!! Thanks a bunch. Enjoy the week.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@jadoubleu6087]

A seriously enjoy watching an artist at work thanks man it's really enjoyable to watch you go one of your big fans NORTH GEORGIA MIKE

[@frankjamann5671]

Hey Matt great job, glad to see that china isn't part of the rebuild. Thanks for the video

[@geofo60]

Informative walkthrough Matt, really enjoyed watching. Have a great week Geof (U.K.)

[@richardsiddon610]

Great progress Matt! Have a good week.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@OnlyMrLonely1]

Your videos are very informative. I will probably watch this one a few times cause I have a 59 Chevy Panel truck that needs new king pins. I don't have all the specialty tools that you have but I will make it work. Thank You - Steve

[@IronTrapGarage]

An adjustable reamer works well too!

[@keithperry8098]

Very nice job. You make it look so easy. Your attention to detail is always spot-on. Good video.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@Carl09of09]

Oh man I absolutely hated doing kingpins! Did a few in my day ugh LOL! Love your tutorials tho, ✌️

[@greghapp1681]

Nice job ,wish I had a shop with all that cool stuff in it.

[@robertjean659]

Great how to video. Love watching these type of clips.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@hgbarnes1584]

Thanks for answering that rear end question. Great video!!!

[@adamweeks614]

Matt, thank you so much for all of these videos. I’ve learned so much from you. Adam Weeks from Arkansas

[@Dave_Boyer]

Once again, a excellent video! Plus now, I’ve seen more tools I need!

[@waynespiteri122]

Great work , I have to the same on my sons Chevy I beam. Love the tread tool. Cheers Matt.

[@michaelstagar525]

Great work & instructive

[@paulwhite9076]

Matt looking very good 🙂 a nice clean job 👍 thanks looking forward to seeing more. Take care

[@garymcclain9440]

Hey Matt, how about a short video doing an in depth explanation and identification of the different Ford spindles?

[@IronTrapGarage]

I’ll need to gather all of them up and do tha!

[@tamalediet3574]

Thank you for doing these videos and your timing is awesome. This is the stage of my build I'm in, and since I started from scratch these have helped me SO much. You rock!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@andrewlevine8816]

Good work. Love those tools. Especially that thread cutter. The thing you didn't show was getting the spring shackle bushes into the perches. They often can be a fight. I've never had an easy one. They've all needed heat on the perches and I have a tool that winds them in. But occasionally they will bind up half way through and mushroom. I do put copious amounts of antiseize for a lubricant.

[@oscartango64]

Great tech tips. Always learning. Thank you

[@plumadore1]

Nice work. I love your videos and they have helped me out a ton. Thanks for posting.

[@gordonhenagar6652]

Just bought one of those threading tools after I saw you use it.

[@IronTrapGarage]

They’re super handy!

[@robertalbee7116]

Perfect how to video, great tips.

[@edwillett1358]

Very informative, I really enjoyed the video 73 Ed

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@WACRE44]

Beautiful job thanks

[@johnapel2856]

Good video! I've done a few earlier VW front suspensions with king pins and link pins. Same idea. Thanks, and Woof to Moon.

[@RAK402]

Really interesting and informative! Very, very well done!

[@stevesgarage7270]

So cool..... you’ll get it done ☑️ I remember what you say small victories I think of that when I got a lot to do. Ty great video Steve

[@IronTrapGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@rustybanjo96]

Hey Matt, I really enjoy your channel, the old flathead Fords are great, keep up the good work! I have a tip about using shims for the spindle assembly. I've found it best to only use the shims 'under' the bearing to insure the weight of the car is riding on the bearing. If you put a shim at the top of the axle (in this case) you run the risk of having some, or all, of the weight of the car riding on the top of the axle instead of the bearing. The bearings from the old kit like you used here are usually the correct thickness. I've found that some, or maybe all, of the new replacement bearings you buy these days are thinner and require one or more shims under them to make up for the difference in the bearing thickness. 🔧

[@DKing-jg7fl]

One of the things you need to look out for when pressing in bushings, never go past flush on the axle side of the spindle. It can affect the clearance issue when you are shimming to remove the vertical play. When the weight of the vehicle pushes the bushing back up you will end up with a looser fitting spindle.

[@steveclark4291]

Thank you Matt , sir , for a very interesting and informative video ! Looking forward to the video on the rear-end ! Take care , stay safe and healthy with whatever you maybe doing next ! Doing well here in Kansas .

[@AndyGeesGarage]

Excellent content as usual. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@ndeep45]

Bushing Care with Matt.. when I did my 63 Ford econoline van kingpins I didn't have a reemer so I had to use a brake hone to match it down to the kingpins. What a pain.. And I was at a automotive trade school at the time, they didn't have a reemer.. too old school 🏫 for them I guess..

[@philhunt3908]

Thanks for the tips I am going to changing the king pins in my 1971 ford f100 this spring when it warms up

[@BrunoWiebelt]

nice tips and tricks and good old tools thx

[@iraswan2445]

Great job...

[@johnwarkentinnikiskialaska8364]

Outstanding job 👍

[@donalddenning2383]

Nice work. Close ups would be nice but I like the progress.

[@v860rich]

I've had a bunch of '36 Fords, over the last 60 years, and I've never seen a '36 with a round back spindle. All of them I've seen are round at the top and bottom and flat on each side. Also the style spindle you are using was used from '37 to '41, 1942 to '48 used the square style spindles.

[@tombryant7955]

Back in the 60s I bought a reamer/driver from J C Whitney for $1.50 that worked great. I was surprised about the amount of shavings that came out on the first car I did which was also my 1947 Ford with a Chrysler FirePower hemi with factory dual fours. The pin fit perfectly so I guess I did it right.

[@tdeje]

This is excellent stuff, Thanks, I really appreciate you sharing this with us !

[@lochnessfox3441]

I really wish I could have a hot rod like that! I’ve looked for years for one like that. There’s nothing like that left around here in Tennessee

[@chuckster6513]

The stuff is around, you just have to find it, and ofcourse have the cash to afford it !

[@deuceman32]

Good stuff, Matt. I have serious vise envy right now. I've been on the lookout for an affordable old beauty like that but no luck so far. Just a minor correction, the round backs are from 1937 to 1941. Your notes on the 36 snouts and hubs are correct but the 36 spindles are still the early smaller square flange, I believe.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Sorry about that brain fart!

[@kristiankristiansen133]

Nice job. Funny however how every body’s concerned about the correct torque on every nut and bolt when no body’s concerned about lubrication when drilling, reaming or threading 🤓

[@classactkirk]

Very helpful video

[@redmonarocv8]

Nice job Matt.

[@rayk9315]

Sweet: One time while replacing the kingpins and bushings on my dad's 51 F1 pickup We replaced the bushings and when reaming them one of them turned a bit and covered the grease hole. Just something your viewers should be aware of.

[@ruongluesteve]

I did that once, just drilled a new one

[@IronTrapGarage]

Yep happens sometimes! Just gotta start over in my experience

[@fredwicker5400]

You can also tap threads into the old bushing,then thread a bolt into the bushing. Use a punch from below and drive the bushing out. Just another method.

[@michaelmoon6675]

Good job

[@tradrodsandcustoms]

Could be wrong but i think that tapered end of your dads tool is for installing the new bushing

[@scottwood5098]

Both aftermarket wishbone perch pins sheared off on my 1936 superbell i beam. damm speed bumps.Turning radius on 36 axles are so awesome. way better than the 1937 to 40 axles. that perch pin distance is if memory is correct on 1936 is a couple inches less than the later ones .I guess they changed that after the battery got mounted in the firewall making the cowl wider at a loss of turning radius.on tire space. .axles are only 2 inch boss height on 1936 and 2 1/4 on 37 and up.

[@alanphillips4431]

Do the bushings ever spin while your reaming? And if so how would you realign the oil zerk without damaging the bushing?

[@IronTrapGarage]

I’ve had it happen before on modern offshore aftermarket bushings. A lot of times I just knock them back out and redo with new bushings. But you can sometimes spin them by getting a drift in the grease holes and pulling it to realign. It’s never fun when it does happen!

[@waynespyker5731]

If the bushing is loose replace it now. It is called line reaming. Reamers are designed to run slower than a drill bit, don't use a power tool to rotate (too fast could produce chatter increasing the hole diameter). If the cross hole doesn't match simply run a drill bit smaller than the tapped hole through to clear any blockage. If there a bushing grease groove connect the new drilled one with a rotary burr or scraper. But deburr the new bushing hole by running the line reamer through again. _ A deburring tool can easily be made from an old 3 cornered file it's grooves are probably rounded anyway. Using your pedistal grinder notch, grind and snap most of it's length away leaving about 3 inches in front of the tang. Carefully point the front not turning the steel blue. Then using the wheel's radius hollow grind the 3 flats to sharp corners. Put a handle on the tang which fits your hand. If you didn't turn any American made steel blue you have a tool to scrape/trim burrs from any sharp corner hole diameter or opening (cast iron engine block). The hollow ground edges may be resharpen when needed. Every hole you drill in anything should be deburred. Most should be chamfered - usually with a countersink but on irregular surfaces the above shop made tool excells!

[@waynespyker5731]

Noga Engineering makes professional grade deburring tools for every purpose for those not wanting to hand craft their own. If you have a set of drills you need a deburring tool!

[@lisabarth3844]

Hi Matt hope you can help me I have a 32 Ford pick up hot rod aftermarket drop front end watched your video absolutely loved it I know that my wheels lean in on both sides figuring I’m definitely going to have to replace the bearings and king pans just not sure exactly what size they are and my king pins actually have a Lock pin holding my king pins in like a C clip how do I know what size bearings and king pins to get

[@gascoupe40]

Great video very informative. I am looking for a reamer to do king pins on my 40 coupe what size should I be looking for. Thanks Matt

[@IronTrapGarage]

I’d google “ford kingpin reamer” and buy one from a early ford specialist.

[@dennisschickling5759]

Great Video. #STAYSAFE

[@LAsmogfree]

hey Matt every think of a reverse eye main leaf? that's what I did on my '31 coupe with '32 heavy "drilled/lightened" front axle

[@IronTrapGarage]

I’ve used them before but this one should sit ok as is

[@whotknots]

Matt is there supposed to be any sort of lubricant like oil or light weight grease placed on the felty stuff for the top seal on the King Pin prior to assembly?

[@harrycatrell1471]

Excellent video, Matt! Two questions: is there a correct direction the front axle must face? I've got an axle from "Vintage" with a trademark on it, but I'm not sure if the trademark goes in front, or to the rear when installed? Second...you made the spring install on the perches look amazingly simple! What's the secret to installing the single spring on the perches? Thanks! And extend a congrats to Mike on the birth of his Daughter!

[@IronTrapGarage]

Hi Harry, the holes for the kingpin locks/steering stops on the axle is the way to tell the larger side of the hole is the front for the lock pin to pull through.

[@rogermiller8262]

Do you ever have a axle with the kin pin hole needing reaming? What type of creamer do you use is so? Looking good Matt.

[@IronTrapGarage]

I’ve used an adjustable reamer but usually it’s just grease or rust that is causing the issue and a sandpaper on a drill will work or a small tootsie sandpaper roll works

[@markbidwell8070]

Most excellent! Very clear description the whole way through of everything you did. Only one question. Do you pack the bearings with grease before assembly or do you get enough in through the zerk? Thanks!

[@doghair3]

Matt -- I also would like the name of that open tap tool you used. I searched but can't seem to find one.

[@coryblum4329]

great info. On the bushings, is there a "these should be replaced every x miles" thing or just if they start to get play in them?

[@IronTrapGarage]

Just when they get play in them. All a matter of how hard of a life the car lived or if they have ever been done.

[@pappabob29]

Question: You didn't mention the openings in the axel where the king pin goes or where the perches live. Do those need to be "sized" or "bushed" also ??? Seems like when using the "gennie" parts, they could/would likely be "egg" shaped???

[@IronTrapGarage]

No bushings needed or available. If that kingpin hole in the axle got worn that bad it would have wrecked a spindle. You’d see that by eye. Spring perch hole can’t really get egg shaped as it goes through the wishbone too.

[@chrisskilling987]

Matt what is the steering arm from thats welded to the spindle?

[@BigTex347]

Hello from Texas - I see that you kept the wishbone intact. I haven't seen your next video, but do you plan on keeping the wishbone original, or are you going to cut it? The reason I ask is because I have a '31 roadster that I'm about to remove the original engine to replace it with a '52 flathead. I planned on cutting the wishbone, but I've seen some roadsters that keep the original wishbone with the flathead engine and transmission conversion. Sorry to ask such a basic question, but how is that done? By the way, I'm not altering the original frame, I plan to have the highboy look. Thanks

[@donnlowe9129]

Nice job Matt. What year's Will a Model A reamer fit?

[@IronTrapGarage]

All the way up to 48 ford and also f1 pickups. Same diameter kingpins for all straight axle fords and 1/2 ton trucks from model a-48 ford cars and later into F1 pickups.

[@martintj2]

There goes the price of old threading tools, who besides me is looking for one on EBay today. Wish these videos came out a few years ago would have save me tons of time and aggravation.

[@IronTrapGarage]

Hope it helps!

[@rickeagle]

Reamer is used the same as line boring a block, yes?

[@xozindustries7451]

Are the split wish bones just for a lowered car?

[@johnkelly6942]

That car is already 1,000% better than when you first drug it home.

[@michaelmoon6675]

Nice going to be a roller then and it's on

[@mick_1949]

Too cool. 👍

[@steveclark4291]

I wish that I knew what a wish bone looked like about 7 years ago ! Because I think I had found one amongst a junk pile here on my farm ! Sadly not knowing what it was I might sent it to scrap metal place ! I'll keep and eye out for it because I still have a junk pile to haul off ! Is there anyway of know what kind of vehicle it might have came off of by looking at it ?

[@IronTrapGarage]

Send an email with a photo and we can try and help.