stiff kingpins & rack

Post by **mcrudge** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:12 pm

i have just fitted new kingpin trunions and steering rack, the rack is stiff and the kingpins are so tight when fitted to the radius arm i have a job to turn them but when they are fitted just to the top suspension arm they are very free. can anybody help.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:53 pm

Was the rack stiff before you fitted it ? Have you added oil (or grease) to the rack ? It's also v important that the rack is correctly aligned with the steering column - slacken the clamping bolts and allow the rack to align itself as you twiddle the steering from side to side (track rod ends disconnected of course). If it's still tight - take it back to the supplier! I have to ask - why are you fitting a new rack anyway - they usually last a v long time.
The king pins - have you screwed the trunnions on too far? They should be one turn back from full on to allow the king pin to rotate on them. And again - grease is the word!

Post by **mcrudge** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:28 am

ill try realigning the rack, im not sure if it was stiff before fitting how free should it be? the old one was shot play in all directions, yes i have filled it with oil, the trunions are fitted as you say and are new as well. when not bolted at the bottom turn realy freely,but as soon as they are tightened to the radus arm (i think thats what its called) they stiffen up.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:32 pm

The rack - with TRE not connected - should spin easily from side to side with one finger on the steering wheel. Each king pin should really be easily swivelled through the full arc with two hands clutching the brake drum. Have you fitted complete new king-pin assemblies, or just new trunnions on the old king pins ?

Post by **jonathon** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 3:44 pm

Have you had the car on the road since fitting the new parts, to see if its the same problem as when its stationary.
Do the trunnions 'stiffen up' when the tre's are not connected and the trunnions fitted to the top and bottom links.

Post by **mcrudge** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 6:10 pm

i have fitted complete new kingpins and trunions if i hold the brake drum i have a job to spin from side to side with tre's disconected.the king pins are just stiff all the time when fitted.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 6:22 pm

Ok - but as long as you CAN turn them with your hands they should be ok.

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Aug 05, 2007 6:26 pm

i have fitted the same on my van , not steering rack but new kingpins, and they turn easily.
should not be difficult or hard to turn, sometimes the modern top and bottom sealing rubbers can cause a bit of stiffness, check this as well, so maybe just that

Post by **mcrudge** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:16 pm

thanks to all of you i have realigned the rack i haven't been on the road yet but all seems well

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 8:17 pm

Success!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 11:54 pm

i have fitted complete new kingpins and trunions if i hold the brake drum i have a job to spin from side to side with tre's disconected

agree with aupickup here - the trunnions shouldn't be that stiff on their own. You would only need 2 hands to swivel them with the brake drum if the TRE's are connected - most of the force is needed to start the steering wheel spinning.
On their own they should be fairly free - I would guess that something isn't machined in line - and that poor alignment causes the stiffness problem when they are bolted to the lower suspension arm