It's most likely the kingpin and bushes are bad. They would wear before
the swivel. When you disassemble everything, you can just make sure the
holes aren't out of round and that the swivel isn't broken. If it
checks out OK, you should be set with the kingpin and bushes. The good
thing about the swivel sets they sell is you don't have as much work to
do. The kingpins and bushes are all installed, and you don't have to
beg, borrow, or steal the kingpin reamer for your car - If it's worth
the money to you, go that route. Otherwise, just get the kingpins and
bushes (sold at most places as a minor suspension kit).
Before you do any of this, consider that it might not be the kingpins at
all. While rocking the wheel (holding it at the top and bottom), watch
for play in the upper trunnion link rubber bushes and the rubber bushes
at the inner ends of the wishbone. If there is no side movement in the
rubber bushes, you need to replace the kingpin and its bushes. OTOH, if
the play is between the wheel and the brake backplate, then you need to
replace the hub bearings. If there's play between the kingpin and the
lower end of the wishbone, you need a new fulcrum pin. You may have any
one, or combination of, these problems. All these parts are in most
suppliers' catalogs as "major" suspension kits, but since you're trying
to save money, you might want to replace only what's obviously bad, and
see if that solves your problem.
One more thing- As long as you're checking everything, try rocking the
wheel from side to side while watching the ball joints. If there is
play, you need to replace them too.
If you replace all this stuff and you still have problems, you're in
big trouble - You need a new wishbone - but that's not likely, and you
don't want to hear about that anyway, right?
-NORY
Don't assume that because you have found one problem, you have found the
ONLY problem.
'74 Midget & '71 parts car
'94 Ford Ranger
'86 Ford Escort
'89 Ford Probe
'96 North American Shepherd
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Way/9101
|