ClassicCar

happychris

What is the best source of King Pin parts for a 49 Hudson? Also, is the cap on the bottom of the King Pin assembly part of a rebuild kit, or is it sold seperately? The cap I am talking about covers the bottom King Pin Bushing and seems to be made of lead with a pressure relief valve. The one on the drivers side seems to be missing.

Also, how can you tell if your king pins need replacement - I think you jack up the front end and push on the top of the wheel and pull on the bottom and check the play. How do you meaure the play and decide what is too much? My passenger front has a very minimal amount of play, yet the drivers side has more play. It is hard to quantify the amount of play, so I am wondering how to tell.

I am trying to tighten up the steering. I already replaced the rubber bushings on the sway bar and that has helped a lot. Order urethane bushings from K-Gap but will have to wait for their arrival. Checked the center pin per the instructions in the WTN article and there is little to now upward movement ( so there must be little wear on the pin or bearings ). Tie rod ends seem good. This car still has bias ply tires, so I am not sure how tight or how much wander is appropriate for a car of this vintage ( my 1st Hudson ). Not having driven another car of this vintage, I have no basis for comparison.

BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

bob ward

Bought a king pin set from Ken Amman ( kamman@power-net.net ) 12 months ago, price was $100 + delivery.

Another area to check for steering slop is the adjustable ball joints on the drag link.

Radials will make a BIG improvement to the way the car tracks.

PAULARGETYPE

I Got Mine From Dave Kostansek In Ohio They Were Around $80 The Raidals Will Make The Car Steer Harder When Going Slow Or Trying To Park

hudson8

happychris wrote:

What is the best source of King Pin parts for a 49 Hudson? Also, is the cap on the bottom of the King Pin assembly part of a rebuild kit, or is it sold seperately? The cap I am talking about covers the bottom King Pin Bushing and seems to be made of lead with a pressure relief valve. The one on the drivers side seems to be missing.

Also, how can you tell if your king pins need replacement - I think you jack up the front end and push on the top of the wheel and pull on the bottom and check the play. How do you meaure the play and decide what is too much? My passenger front has a very minimal amount of play, yet the drivers side has more play. It is hard to quantify the amount of play, so I am wondering how to tell.

I am trying to tighten up the steering. I already replaced the rubber bushings on the sway bar and that has helped a lot. Order urethane bushings from K-Gap but will have to wait for their arrival. Checked the center pin per the instructions in the WTN article and there is little to now upward movement ( so there must be little wear on the pin or bearings ). Tie rod ends seem good. This car still has bias ply tires, so I am not sure how tight or how much wander is appropriate for a car of this vintage ( my 1st Hudson ). Not having driven another car of this vintage, I have no basis for comparison.

BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

Gary---Very little play should be experienced with the wheel jacked up & hands placed at top & bottom of tire. Zero play would be very acceptable. The pressure plug at the bottom of the king pin comes with a new set upon replacement. How about play in the steering box? Has that been checked & adjusted? There are no ball joints in this front end.

happychris

hudson8 wrote:

Gary---Very little play should be experienced with the wheel jacked up & hands placed at top & bottom of tire. Zero play would be very acceptable. The pressure plug at the bottom of the king pin comes with a new set upon replacement. How about play in the steering box? Has that been checked & adjusted? There are no ball joints in this front end.

Sounds like I need to replace the King Pins as the drivers side definitely has play and the passengers side has some ( too much per your definition ). No, I have not adjusted the steering box as yet. I read the manual and it seemed that doing it too tight could have catastrophic results. I am going to trya nd find someone with some experience in replacement of King Pins and also adjustment of the steering box. Unfortunately, I live near Mountain Home Arkansas and have yet to find anyone who knows and works on Hudsons.

BST RGDS

GARY

harry54

happychris wrote:

Sounds like I need to replace the King Pins as the drivers side definitely has play and the passengers side has some ( too much per your definition ). No, I have not adjusted the steering box as yet. I read the manual and it seemed that doing it too tight could have catastrophic results. I am going to trya nd find someone with some experience in replacement of King Pins and also adjustment of the steering box. Unfortunately, I live near Mountain Home Arkansas and have yet to find anyone who knows and works on Hudsons.

BST RGDS

GARY

There is a set on ebay

davidh

happychris wrote:

Sounds like I need to replace the King Pins as the drivers side definitely has play and the passengers side has some ( too much per your definition ). No, I have not adjusted the steering box as yet. I read the manual and it seemed that doing it too tight could have catastrophic results. I am going to trya nd find someone with some experience in replacement of King Pins and also adjustment of the steering box. Unfortunately, I live near Mountain Home Arkansas and have yet to find anyone who knows and works on Hudsons.

BST RGDS

GARY

you may need to find a "frame and axel" shop to know anything about king pins. we have some young guys around here that have been trained byt the old guys as to how to do it right. its not a science but an "art".

happychris

PAULARGETYPE wrote:

I Got Mine From Dave Kostansek In Ohio They Were Around $80 The Raidals Will Make The Car Steer Harder When Going Slow Or Trying To Park

Do you have an email address or a phone number for Dave Kostansek?

BST RGDS

GARY

46HudsonPU

happychris wrote:

Do you have an email address or a phone number for Dave Kostansek?

BST RGDS
GARY

Dave Kostansek (440) 293-4079. He also advertises in the WTN.

davegnh1

happychris wrote:

What is the best source of King Pin parts for a 49 Hudson? Also, is the cap on the bottom of the King Pin assembly part of a rebuild kit, or is it sold seperately? The cap I am talking about covers the bottom King Pin Bushing and seems to be made of lead with a pressure relief valve. The one on the drivers side seems to be missing.

Also, how can you tell if your king pins need replacement - I think you jack up the front end and push on the top of the wheel and pull on the bottom and check the play. How do you meaure the play and decide what is too much? My passenger front has a very minimal amount of play, yet the drivers side has more play. It is hard to quantify the amount of play, so I am wondering how to tell.

I am trying to tighten up the steering. I already replaced the rubber bushings on the sway bar and that has helped a lot. Order urethane bushings from K-Gap but will have to wait for their arrival. Checked the center pin per the instructions in the WTN article and there is little to now upward movement ( so there must be little wear on the pin or bearings ). Tie rod ends seem good. This car still has bias ply tires, so I am not sure how tight or how much wander is appropriate for a car of this vintage ( my 1st Hudson ). Not having driven another car of this vintage, I have no basis for comparison.

BST RGDS

GARY ( happychris )

I would try to adjust the steering box a little, it isn't hard-- just don't overdo it and make things bind up.

ClassicCar

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

We'd love to hear from you! info@classiccar.com