1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal
'55-3Hemi
Posted 2019-09-30 11:42 PM (#588215)
Subject: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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Hi all!

In the process of rebuilding the front end & want to remove the king pins and spindle to put in new bushings & king pin.   There was some slop observed in the spindle/king pin bushing area when the front tire was moved.  I am not 100% certian but to remove the king pin lock pin does one tap the "lock Pin" from the Right side to the left or from the rear to the front to remove the lock pin. (As obsrved from the Drivers side wheel)  Some folks say these pins are a bear to remove.  Any Suggestions?

Try to learn something new every day!

 

Thanks!

 

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56D500boy
Posted 2019-10-01 2:11 AM (#588220 - in reply to #588215)
Subject: RE: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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Go through this thread (link below) and find DepsilonD's (Dave N's) great King Pin DIY info and photos. I think you will find what you need:

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=53746&...





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ronbo97
Posted 2019-10-01 1:35 PM (#588246 - in reply to #588215)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal


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They will only come out one way. Use a narrow brass drift and tap it with a 3 lb. sledgehammer. If there is no movement, you are hitting the wrong end. They are 'swedged' in, but a couple of sharp taps will break the swedging.

Ron
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56D500boy
Posted 2019-10-01 3:07 PM (#588254 - in reply to #588246)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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ronbo97 - 2019-10-01 10:35 AM
They will only come out one way. Use a narrow brass drift and tap it with a 3 lb. sledgehammer. If there is no movement, you are hitting the wrong end. They are 'swedged' in, but a couple of sharp taps will break the swedging.


As shown here by Dave N.

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'55-3Hemi
Posted 2019-10-01 4:47 PM (#588260 - in reply to #588220)
Subject: RE: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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Thanks 56D500boy, You always come through with good information.  (Dave N's) link was great, it was just what I was looking for

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'55-3Hemi
Posted 2019-10-01 5:44 PM (#588266 - in reply to #588246)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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While on the front end, I noticed a lot of freeplay (Which new king pin & bushings, Idler Arm & NOS center link should help) which seems to come from the Coxial Power steering unit. The car would sometimes pull to the right or left for no apparent reason at all while driving straight down the road. Is there a company that can service this unit?  I looked at the breakdown of the unit in my shop book & there are two many special tools needed to make any adjustments. I sure it will not be cheap.

Also the front end would bounce quite a bit (Felt Mushy) but it looks like the shocks were replaced not long before I bought the car. Is it time for springs or do these shocks wear out fast? If new springs are needed, were is a good place to buy them?.  Any pointers in getting the front end "tight" would help :

 

 

 

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56D500boy
Posted 2019-10-01 7:29 PM (#588274 - in reply to #588266)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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The coaxial power steering box is looser when the engine (and PS pump) are not running so that might not be the first place to start. In addition to king pins and the inner tie rod, there are also the outer tie rods, wheel bearings (inner and outer), etc that might need attention. I did all of the above and have left the king pins to the end (this fall/winter). Do all those and then get an alignment and see if there is still a steering issue. If so, you might have to look at the Coaxial box.

As for front shocks, I went with Powerflite (Nathans) suggestion of KYB KG4640 (for a Ford Aerostar RWD).

Rears I went with 71Charger_fan's suggestion and chased Gabriel 81469s at Rock Auto and then went back in and pretended my car was a 68 Dodge Dart 340 (which would be okay to have ) and got the result below. Bought them locally for less and installed them. Over all much improved (with the new front shocks)







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ronbo97
Posted 2019-10-01 8:32 PM (#588279 - in reply to #588215)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal


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You will likely not need to replace the idler arm. Also, your power steering pump is probably OK. What you should replace are the inner and outer tie rods and have the center link rebuilt. Note that the center link for p/s and manual steering cars are different. The p/s center link is unobtanium. So a company like Rare Parts will be able to rebuild yours. They can also supply the inner tie rods, which are also unobtanium.

Ron
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56D500boy
Posted 2019-10-01 11:24 PM (#588289 - in reply to #588279)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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ronbo97 - 2019-10-01 5:32 PM
You will likely not need to replace the idler arm. Also, your power steering pump is probably OK. What you should replace are the inner and outer tie rods and have the center link rebuilt. Note that the center link for p/s and manual steering cars are different. The p/s center link is unobtanium. So a company like Rare Parts will be able to rebuild yours. They can also supply the inner tie rods, which are also unobtanium.


Ron: Not sure about other years or makes but the center link for a 1955-56 Plymouth and/or Dodge is the same PN and there is no different PNs for P/S or manual steering.

When I got my car 3 years ago, I was able to buy a NOS 1615 151 center link so they weren't unobtainum, at least back then.

In fact they might still be available:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Steering-Center-Link-AUTOZONE-DURALAST-RARE...





Edited by 56D500boy 2019-10-01 11:29 PM




(55-56SteeringKnuckleTieRodsDiagram.jpg)



(55-56PlymouthAndDodgeV8SteeringCenterLinkPN.jpg)



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Attachments 55-56SteeringKnuckleTieRodsDiagram.jpg (130KB - 260 downloads)
Attachments 55-56PlymouthAndDodgeV8SteeringCenterLinkPN.jpg (209KB - 229 downloads)
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'55-3Hemi
Posted 2019-10-02 1:03 PM (#588315 - in reply to #588279)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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Ron,

Thanks for the info. I was able to find a NOS center link on EBAy that is supposed to be used with PS. It's on the way.  I checked the inner & outter tie rod ends by rocking the wheel pretty hard and found no movement.  What did have a fair amount of movement was the center link joint that attaches to the Pitman arm and the Idler arm.  (I purchased a NOS aftermarket idler rebuild kit on EBay - Put in on the idler arm but not back on the car for most of the linkage has been removed) It seemed to really tighten it up.  Is there a proper way to check the inner & outter tie rod ends for wear? I hate to replace them if they are good. 

Also noticed that my PS pump is leaking where it connects to the generator. Is this seal easy to obtain and replace or is this one of those pumps that need to be sent out for repair. The generator has been removed, cleaned both inside & out, the mica backcut & brushes reseated. The exterior has been painted. The PS pump is still connected to the steering box.

 

 

 





(s-l500.jpg)



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Attachments s-l500.jpg (21KB - 230 downloads)
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'55-3Hemi
Posted 2019-10-02 2:53 PM (#588320 - in reply to #588274)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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The shocks look like they are a perfect fit. I am sure they are much better than the NOS or replicated knock offs I see on EBay.

Thanks for the part numbers

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56D500boy
Posted 2019-10-02 3:51 PM (#588324 - in reply to #588320)
Subject: Re: 1955 Dodge King Pin lock pin removal



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'55-3Hemi - 2019-10-02 11:53 AM

The shocks look like they are a perfect fit. I am sure they are much better than the NOS or replicated knock offs I see on EBay. Thanks for the part numbers


The slot on bottom of the KYB front shocks is a bit narrower than the diameter of the bolts holding the shock into the control arm. BUT that is easily remedied with whatever grinding/filing tool(s) you have handy. I think I used my Dremel with an E-Z-CUT grinding/cutting disk.

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