On Wed, 20 Sep 1995, Bart Schwartz wrote:
> I seem to remember a thread awhile back when someone mentioned that
> his LBC handled like a truck. I am having a similar problem with my
> '76 Midget. The guy at the garage said I need a new kingpin because
> mine is bent. In light of that, I have few questions:
>
> 1) Is the kingpin the likely culprit of my steering problems or will
> other parts need to be replaced as well?
Possibly, if you jack up the car and play around with a pry bar a little
you may be able to see it move. I could see mine move. I also had a
clunck when turning the wheel while parking
> 2) How much should a new kingpin cost? I think VB wanted $80. Could I
> pick up a good used one?
I doubt that the kingpin is bent. More likely the bearings are shot. They
do sell a kit to replace the whole hunk o metal and they sell a kit for
the bearings and other parts for about $110. I went with the cheap kit
and found that although I was advised that you don't need a kingpin reamer
you do. Or in my case you hoan with a brake cylinder hoan very carefully
till the kingpin just fits. I would surely buy the whole hunk o metal
than do that again. Mos if the parts were extreemly hard to get apart.
especially the trunion bolt on top. I ended up cutting my old kingpins
out and using new trunions. The new trunions were actually used and I
needed a butane torche and a lot of hammering to get them off the used
kingpins. If I had to buy them new they are about $90.
To make a long story short... try greasing the kingpin nibs. See iof it
gets any better. If not I would go with the pre reamed kingpin set for
the extra money. It will save you time and money over all.
> 3) How difficult should it be to put a new one on? Do I need any
> special tools? Am I going to be half way through this and realize I
> have to have the car towed because I can't get the wheel back on?
Probably, see above
>
> I am a little concerned about trying this myself because it took me
> about 4 hours just to figure out how to put a new alternator in. I'm
> still learning where everything is.
There are a lot of washers and spacers that have to be adjusted properly
to have steering that the kingpins are not sloppy and not too tight. The
above info is regarding a 1980 B, should apply the same.
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Bart
>
> ****************************************************************
> * *
> * Bart Schwartz Internet: bschwartz@dttus.com *
> * 1976 Midget 1500 CServe: 75753,2550 *
> * *
> * *
> ****************************************************************
>
>
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