King Pin Spring/Bushing Replacement Oddity?

[rumplecat]

My 86' M1008 has had a mild death wobble for a while, changed four set of tires still wobbles. So I replace the steering dampener and the king pin springs and bushings, very easy replacement! However this has only reduced the wobble by maybe 95%. You can still feel the slight bump of the wobble still there, very mild but still there. I noticed when I replace the spring and bushing on the driver side (the wobbling side) I had to use a jack stand to keep the hub level as I replaced the spring and bushing or the hub would droop and bump the bushing out of alignment. The passenger side did not do this? Is this a sign the kingpin is bad?

 

[richingalveston]

sounds like your wheel bearings are loose. the hub should not move.

 

[Keith_J]

Or the lower bearing is worn.

 

[Sharecropper]

I too had the infamous DW. I installed a new MOOG steering dampner and similar to you, I still had just a taste of a wobble. So I completely rebuilt the front hubs including king pin bushings and springs, inner and outer bearing, and seals. This completely cured the problem. Hope this helps.

 

[rumplecat]

How much of an ordeal is replacing the inner and outer bearing, and seals? Time and dollar wise?
Thanks,
James

 

[Sharecropper]

How much of an ordeal is replacing the inner and outer bearing, and seals? Time and dollar wise?
Thanks,
James

I guess the answer would be dependent on your skill level and tool set. If you can follow the instructions in the TM and have a decent set of tools, it is pretty straightforward. You could probably complete the job in a day and spend a couple hundred bucks on parts and freight. Just my 2 cents.

Hope this helps.

 

[rumplecat]

Thanks, Sharecropper, I have average skill but I have a super set of tools!
James