Question: 1959 Kingpin replacement?

[fine59]

Has anyone out there replaced their own kingpins on a c1 before? I'm trying to get up the nerve to give it a try. Looking for pictures of the process if possible.

 

[2X4's 60]

It's a very simple job. Pick up a copy of the 1953-62 Corvette Servicing Guide ST-12. It will walk you through all the steps.

Jim

 

[bradfordsvettes]

simple job a little time consuming but no magic not as bad as ball joints steve

 

[critchie]

The ST-12 will give you step-by-step instructions on how to do this job. There's no magic to the job. It's straightforward. It's not difficult, except for one thing. When was the last time this job was done? Mine wouldn't come out. Mine had been in there for many years, and without lubrication. I had to take the knuckles off, and bring them to a machine shop. Guy heated them, and pounded on them with a BFH tool.

The ST-12 shows a picture of a technician pounding them out from the bottom with a drift. They shouldn't need much, if any, pounding. When you go to put the new ones in, you'll find they fall out on their own through gravity. They can come out from the bottom or the top.

If you remove the knuckles, mark them. They can go on the wrong side. You'll only find this out after you've done the work to install them.

 

[fine59]

Thanks much

Thanks guy's I found and purchased the manual refered to, I have had the car for 20+ years and never had this book, looks like it will be a great reference.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Don't feel bad. I've had my '59 since August of '69 and I still don't have a ST12. I have the old Clymers manual that is excellant and a stack of other old Chevy shop manuals that cover most of the Corvette suspension and mechanicals and have just never bought one.

Good luck on your king pin project. Mine was done just before I bought it in '69 and I haven't put many miles on it. I have changed early Ford king pins before and it was fairly straight forward. Fords require a reamer run through them once the new bushings are in place. Another one of those tools you buy and use once in a lifetime. I'm not sure about the Corvettes though.

Tom