King pin install prices - HOLY SMOKE !!!! (update)

[DanielSmyers]

After replacing mine (finished this morning), I'd do the job for 150 labor, you pay machining and parts. (Just for reference, I've done king pins for a 64 F100, 67 F100, 71 F100 (Ranger), and a 1950 Chevy 4500) Frankly, it's not all the hard (except driving the old pins out). But it was one of those might as well jobs, being I had the front apart I went ahead and replaced the brakes, radius arm bushings, and a few other parts (while I was at it).

[cdherman]

With the correct reamer (look for one on ebay), you can ream the bronze bushings yourself.

Getting the old king pins out it the problem as many allude to. A proper acetylene torch makes that a helluva lot easier if the kings don't want to move initially, just heat up the end of the ibeam and keep pounding. Heat the ibeam to expand it, not the pin.

Frequently, the axel pivot bushing and radius arm bushings also need replacing, so in that circumstance, taking the whole works off would be the best course.

But in any case, do consider reading about how to REAM the bronze bushings, as opposed to having a place hone them. Honing was not what FoMoCo recomended, its just what machine shops do when they don't have the correct reamer.

[Banjo]

that's really the truth, all I had was a little bottle torch (propane) and it won't get enough heat. I hammered like a madman, but a torch would have made a world of difference and I mean a world.

[AlleyCat]

For those who aren't aware of it there are king pin presses that are designed to be used on the truck. One style is mechanical that is driven by a 3/4" drive impact wrench or if you have enough a** a 3/4" drive ratchet.The other style is hydraulic with a pump that operates like a bottle jack.I've used both types.If you can find someone who will loan or even rent one it's well worth using not to mention a lot easier than beating ones brains out with a hammer.

[71highboy]

glad you got it on the road again

[Mancar1]

Good going. I have did king pins at home a couple times over the years. Fun.

[averagef250]

If I knew the shop doing the job had the right tools to do it right I would happily pay $500 or more to have that work done.

The last F100 kingpins I did took every ounce of my 35 ton press and heat to red from a rosebud.