Is there really only one seal on the lower kingpin? I am finding it hard to believe that there is nothing to seal the top of the assembly between the grease retainer and the bearing race.

It would explain why the bearings were rusted and in pieces though.

Am I missing something here?

theres also a metal shield that goes in before the race :confused: do you not have it?

I have the grease retainer, which is a domed shaped piece, which will go in first, then the race, bearing and seal.

I guess I have it right, but the design seems wierd. I would expect contamination from it. The grease retainer (metal shield) is the only thing keeping foriegn matter from penetrating. You would thing there would be some rubber to seal it up.

What is the normal service interval for kingpins? Anyone know?

It goes cup, race, bearing, seal. So if you're missing any of those you need to get them. I'm at work now but I can get you part numbers once I'm home.

J. J.

Here ya go.........


CR p/n........ 14700

National ( federal mogul ) P/n ........ 710304


if it's really buggin you smear a little silicone on the grease shield before you press the bearing race in......

As AIRZUKI said use silicone. Seals it and doesnt let water sit between the dust cap and knuckle so you can get it out without destroying the cap next time you service it.
Dave

A little trick I do that works great is toss the factory shield and go get a brass freeze plug. Sorry you'll have to measure to find out what size you need. 1.75" sticks in my head though, but I don't have my notes.

Seat the race in the knuckle, then drive the freeze plug in from the axle shaft side, up side down. Meaning with the cup side facing the race. Gives you more grease capacity, plus by driving the plug in in this fashion it leaves a touch of a gap on the outside. Seat the plug in the knuckle until it bottoms out on the top of the race. A nice bead of silly cone wiped with your finger and that dude is sealed. My bearings always come out nice and clean since starting this home grown mod. Bonus is the freeze plug knocks out easy and then you have easy access to the race. Trying to drive the race out with the factory shield in place usually destroys the shield.

Thanks guys, I went with the silicone. I like the freeze plug idea though!

It just bugs me when I see something that I believe to be a blatant design flaw. I mean if I can see where a simply rubber seal would improve the life dramatically why couldn't the engineer who designed it. I guess it really doesn't matter, now that they use ball joints.