Kingpin stuck

Darkspeed · August 08, 2015, 03:20:49 PM

Im trying to remove my drivers side knuckle on my 4106 and I cant get the king pin to come out.

The upper nut seemed to be tight but not overly tight.

I have tried heat a drift and a hand held sledge with no luck.

I have never had a problem removing a kingpin before.

What am I doing wrong?

How much force and heat can i apply?

The Kingpin is in good shape and is not worn out, I am just removing the knuckle to press out a steering arm.

Thanks!

Darkspeed · August 08, 2015, 07:39:14 PM

Ok my Plan B was worse than my Plan A. I think im going to leave the kingpin alone and press the steering arm out with a porta power before I make a mess of things.

gus · August 08, 2015, 08:00:06 PM

As I remember from posts a long time ago the kingpins come out only one way because they are tapered. However, I don't remember which way.

Some of our resident experts surely will chime in and let you know.

Darkspeed · August 08, 2015, 09:23:09 PM

Quote from: gus on August 08, 2015, 08:00:06 PM
As I remember from posts a long time ago the kingpins come out only one way because they are tapered. However, I don't remember which way.

Some of our resident experts surely will chime in and let you know.

Thanks Gus, yes it comes out the bottom, but its seriously in there.

luvrbus · August 09, 2015, 06:07:39 AM

Heat and press some are a bitch to remove

Brian Diehl · August 09, 2015, 07:42:58 AM

You will likely need a 24 ton press to get it out. I just went through this with my bus. I only had a 12 ton jack. I built my own press jig, used a LOT of acetylene torch heat and let things sit overnight. The next morning I put the full 12 tons of pressure on the pin again and hit the end of the axle with heat again. The pin popped right out. It seams the cooling/heating cycle is important to helping to remove the king pin.

Darkspeed · August 09, 2015, 07:53:26 AM

Thanks guys, I built a tool to remove the steering arm but the jack i used broke so i have a 20ton porta power on the way to replace it. Im leaving the kingpin alone as it seems it would be more work than just pressing out the steering arm in place.

daddyoften · August 09, 2015, 08:42:55 AM

I have not done any such work on a bus yet but I have a ball joint press along with the accessory parts. I got the press at AutoZone and the extra from harbor freight. I use it for all kinds of things! It's amazing on u-joints too!

http://m.autozone.com/autozone-mobile/en/accessories/Tools-And-Equipment/Ball-Joint-Press/_/N-264q?searchtext=Ball+joint+press

http://m.harborfreight.com/14-piece-master-ball-joint-adapter-set-60307-10034.html

As mush as I have used it I bet it would work for your knuckle
AutoZone also have a "rental" program. Basically you buy the tools and return them for full price when your done.
Eric

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