Here is the THEORY why this doesn't work correctly.
If the reamed bushings are not aligned perfectly, the kingpin will not go
through, obviously. The only way to compensate is then to ream the holes
a little bigger until the kingpin will fit. However, since the centerline
of the bushings are now not parallel with the centerline of the kingpin,
the kingpin touches the bushings only in two spots (in the cross section),
on one side at the top and on the other side at the bottom. While
initially you have a tight fit, the contact points will wear quickly and
the assembly will be very loose very soon.
Then again, you could get lucky and the bushings might line up.
Ulix
On Thu, 23 Oct 1997, Larry G. Miller wrote:
> Frank
>
> The Machinists that I have talked with will not ream them because they think
> that both ends should be reamed at the same time to insure that the alignment
> between top and bottom remains correct. This can't be done without the
>tapered
> or "stepped" reamer which they did not have. American cars typically have the
> same size of both ends. I agree that the method described by you should work
> O.K. but you have to find someone willing to do it that way.
>
> Larry
>
> ----------
> From: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net on behalf of Frank Clarici
> Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 1997 5:48 PM
> To: Larry G. Miller
> Cc: Spridget List
> Subject: Re: Kingpin bushings!!!
>
> Patton, Larry, and listers
> The Spridget king pins bushings are not tappered, theyare "steped" meaning
>one
> is
> larger then the other. Any good machine shop should have both size reams to do
> the job.
> I have had 3 sets done through recent years and my machinists charges only $20
> per side.
> This is only $10 per ream. The last time I was in his shop while he was
> reaming
> (me and my bushings :), I saw the operation. Ream the small hole first, then
> the
> large hole to fit the kingpin. Total time about 15 minutes.
>
> Larry G. Miller wrote:
>
> > Patton
> >
> > The problem with most local machine shops. at least in this area, is the
> fact
> > that kingpins on a spridget are tapered. The top is smaller than the
> bottom.
> > When asking a shop if they can do the job be sure to mention this. No a big
> > healey is not the same. Moss sells the reamer for Spridgets for $200 or so.
> >
> > Larry
> >
> > ----------
> > From: owner-spridgets@autox.team.net on behalf of Patton Dickson
> > Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 1997 10:50 AM
> > To: Spridget List
> > Subject: Kingpin bushings!!!
> >
> > I just called Special Interest Autos, just to check what their price on
> > the major front end kit was. To my great please they are only charging
> > $92.50 for their kit. Moss wants > $200 for theirs and Vicky Brit
> > wasn't off by far. The closest I found was $148 by Northwest, so it
> > really pays to shop around in this case. Thanks Nory for pointing me in
> > this direction (to bad $80 wasn't still in effect).
> >
> > Well here comes my quandary. I now have the spindle bushings for the
> > kingpin, but no reamer to do it myself (I do have access to a big Healey
> > one, no chance they are the same is there). I know that Apple will
> > install them for $80 for the set, but I am wondering if this is
> > something I should be able to do locally since I have all the parts. It
> > just doesn't seem that this would be a job that should cost $80 for
> > labor only.
> >
> > Well, I still have to order the A-arms and paint the wires before I
> > start on this.
> >
> > Take care.
> >
> > Patton
> > --
> > '67 Austin Healey Sprite MKIV
> > My Spritepage (featuring a JAVA Spridget newsgroup) is found at...
> > http://www.GEOCITIES.COM/TheTropics/Shores/1256/page2.html
>
>
>
>
>
>
Ulix __/__,__
.......................................................... (_o____o_)....
'67 Sprite
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