TheSamba.com :: View topic - Spindle and torsion arm link/king pin play

Thu Apr 20, 2023 3:43 pm

April '55 - just greased my front suspension and noticed that there is about a 1mm play at the lower torsion arm link and spindle king pin sleeve. this is at the driver's front wheel. what could it be, bad king pin or spindle sleeve, or both? please see video, thank you!

Thu Apr 20, 2023 5:18 pm

Time too adjust your link pins

Thu Apr 20, 2023 6:02 pm

esde wrote: Time too adjust your link pins

thanks but i think it's more than that. when i greased the front link pins i raised the car wheels off the ground and loosened the link pins, greased them and then tightened them all the way in and then backed off about an 8th of a turn and then tightened the clamp bolt. i think this was the proper procedure, please correct me if i'm wrong... thank you

Thu Apr 20, 2023 9:23 pm

adaysnight wrote: esde wrote: Time too adjust your link pins

thanks but i think it's more than that. when i greased the front link pins i raised the car wheels off the ground and loosened the link pins, greased them and then tightened them all the way in and then backed off about an 8th of a turn and then tightened the clamp bolt. i think this was the proper procedure, please correct me if i'm wrong... thank you

I apologize, I should have waited to look on a larger screen. Now I see, it's the king pins that need rebuilding. First the link pins and bushings get pressed out. Then the king pin bushings get pressed out and new ones pressed in. There is a special reamer that cuts and aligns them, so the pin fits through both, then it can all get put back together. While you're in this far, it's best to do new link pins.

Thu Apr 20, 2023 11:15 pm

esde wrote: a special reamer

thank you, do you know where i can get this reamer, size, etc.?

Fri Apr 21, 2023 8:18 am

adaysnight wrote: esde wrote: a special reamer

thank you, do you know where i can get this reamer, size, etc.?

Unless you live in a place with lots of resources for machine work, or plan on doing many king/ling suspension projects you're way better off just buying a set already done.
Here's a set with the MUCH BETTER roller bushings for the link pins. Actually..I should buy these!
This is a good option:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1348721

Fri Apr 21, 2023 9:22 am

https://vwparts.aircooled.net/710-King-Pin-Reamer-Rental-p/king-pin-reamer-rental.htm

Fri Apr 21, 2023 1:43 pm

thank you for the options. i read on another vw forum that some are using a 23/32 inch reamers (close enough to the correct size of .710 or 18.034mm). can a regular 23/32 drill bit be used instead? hand turned.

Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:04 pm

The problem using a correct size drill bit is that the distance between the upper and lower bushing may be too much. The reamer is much longer and lines up (squares) the bushings to each other. If they do not line up correctly the king pin may damage the bushings during the pressing operation.

Fri Apr 21, 2023 2:16 pm

Robert Chambers wrote: The problem using a correct size drill bit is that the distance between the upper and lower bushing may be too much. The reamer is much longer and lines up (squares) the bushings to each other. If they do not line up correctly the king pin may damage the bushings during the pressing operation.

understood, thank you. and that's assuming that you start off square with the first bushing, if not, all bets are off, even with a long enough reamer... i'm thinking the solution may be to find a long enough drill bit then. something to consider, considering the price of these reamers...

Sat Apr 22, 2023 2:49 am

If $35 to rent the exact right tool to do the job correctly is too much, a vintage car is not the indulgence for you, I am afraid, not to mention your lack of understanding how this reamer actually works :roll:

Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:25 am

adaysnight wrote: Robert Chambers wrote: The problem using a correct size drill bit is that the distance between the upper and lower bushing may be too much. The reamer is much longer and lines up (squares) the bushings to each other. If they do not line up correctly the king pin may damage the bushings during the pressing operation.

understood, thank you. and that's assuming that you start off square with the first bushing, if not, all bets are off, even with a long enough reamer... i'm thinking the solution may be to find a long enough drill bit then. something to consider, considering the price of these reamers...

The cost of the reamer is nothing compared to having to do the job twice. Drill bits will continue to cut the bushing after going through, and you'll end up with a bunch of slop, just like now. The reamer takes a small cut, and is long enough to pass through both bushing at the same time, so their centers are the same. The pin carriers get beat on over 50-60 years, and many are slightly bent. The reamer will cut the bushings true, even when the carriers are bent or twisted.
Sorry, unless you're a crafty machinist, there are not shortcuts on this.

Sat Apr 22, 2023 7:17 am

I don’t trust the non adjustable reamers. I have seen those have problems. The one that was originally used is adjustable and has centering cones that to allow for incremental adjustments. You start out small and only open it up as much as you need to get a nice fit.

If you don’t have someone to do it for you with experience, buy them already done and send back your core.

Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:39 am

Your profile says you live in the LA area. Should be plenty of options for a local machine shop with VW knowledge/ expertise to do the job properly.

Tue May 09, 2023 7:48 pm

where in la do you live? I have a snap on king pin reamer if youre close.

you could buy one for the same price theyll probably charge

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1797191

Sat Jul 01, 2023 1:46 pm

just replaced the link/king pin and bushings using a $13 18mm hand turned reamer, an 18mm socket to remove the old link pin bushings, a standard 3/8 extension to remove the king pin and a 9/16in socket to remove the king pin bushings. used same in reverse to install the new. all went well, the key is to start the reamer slowly, once it gets going it corrects itself. i was surprised at how all worked out so smoothly. thank you for your support!