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I greased all 22 grease fittings weekend past, The top kingpin cap (driver's sdie) popped off while greasing the kingpin the other day and did not realize it had came off until today while my kid brother (retired mechanic) was visiting it today. He noticed it on my garage floor near the front tire.
We removed the wheel and tried to tap it into place, but if would not pop into place. My brother looked at the cap and said it appeared to be a bit distorted and I should replace the cap.
20 years ago I rebuilt my front end using the king pin rebuild set from CC and it is in still good shape. I only need the caps but can not find them anywhere as only the complete king pin rebuild kits are sold.
My brother said if I knew the exact size of this caps i maybe able to purchase them at NAPA, Car Quest or Parts For Trucks.
Anyone know what the size of these caps are or where online they can be purchased?
First, that cap is a nearly impossible part to locate separately.
Second, they NEVER did fit very well. If you can get it to snap into the top bore of the spindle, consider yourself lucky.
You can always THOROUGHLY clean the top of the spindle and the bottom of the cap and use a little bit of strong glue.
SOME kits contain 2 plugs per king pin, but a cap only goes on the top.
Those kingpin caps are a little bit like freeze plugs. I had a loose one and taped the rim of the cap in place with a small chisel. Actually never when back to look to see if it was still in place.
FOUND THIS from DZAUTO
"Dorman is a company that makes a hoard of different size welch plugs. Many auto parts stores carry the Dorman line. FOR SURE, O'Reillys carries Dorman products. Take the old welch plugs to your local O'Reillys (or whatever is close to you) to check the size. "
The welch plug that is installed UNDER the snap ring, and the cap that SUPPOSEDLY fits on top of the spindle bore are two different plugs. I have never come across a good, tight fitting cap for the top of the spindle bore.
This is the welch plug and snap which is installed in each end of the spindle bores.
This is the welch plug installed, BEFORE the snap ring is installed.
Then the snap ring.
This is the cap which goes on top of the spindle bore. I'm sure the original purpose was to keep water and crud from getting down into the top of the king pin area.
As I mentioned, I have never come across caps that fit good and tight.
I do have mine secured with Loctite thinking maybe I should have used JB Weld.
However since these are so difficult to install, is it ok to drive a car without these caps installed? I can see dirt, moisture and crap maybe getting into the kingpins.
My suggestion would be, if you have the cap--------NO MATTER HOW SLOPPY LOOSE IT MAY BE--------------glue it on. JB Weld, or whatever. But find a way to secure the cap to keep crap out of the top. No issues with the bottom.
Not as regular as I used to now that I;m looking after my 93 year old Dad. I try to drive it at least once a week in the late spring, summer and fall but only if it's not raining.
Sadly this year I only had it out once due to weather and my Dad
15-20 years ago I was driving it every second day or so,
Kingpin Cap
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