[Spridgets] Tight Steering

Marc smarc at smarc.net
Mon May 5 12:49:18 MDT 2008


Ok, I pulled the top trunnion off, and I don't see any shims at all. I 
presume the shims are washers of varying thickness? I have searched, but 
can't find a source for the shims...

Any tips on where I could score two sets?

Marc



Guy Weller wrote:
> Marc,
> Already replied to that one!
>
> The tightness of the kingpins should have nothing to do with how tight or
> loose the nut on the top is.  There are shims in under the top trunnion that
> set the clearance for the king pin. The nut is then put on tight - or to the
> torque figure if you have one. It sounds like they have never been set up
> properly since being replaced.
>
> Put the car up on axle stands. Then put a jack under the wishbone and just
> raise it a little to slightly compress the spring. Undo the single nut on
> the kingpin. Raise the top lever arm so that the trunnion comes free of the
> top of the kingpin. You may need to lower the jack slowly, just a little.
>
> There is a large phosphor-bronze washer which takes the load, but the end
> float (vertical movement) is adjusted by small shims on the top shoulder of
> the king pin itself.  More shims gives more end float. Add shims if it is
> tight; remove shims if there is too much slack. Should aim for no more than
> 0.002" to 0.003".  Check that the hub will turn through its full movement,
> lock to lock, without binding.
>
> Guy


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