King Pin ?

[BMIC]

On a Dana 25 front axle the top king pin has 3 shims, the bottom king pin has none. Does the bottom king pin have a gasket or sealent, anything? Hard to understand how it would not leak with the king pin just bolted on...

[athawk11]

BMIC,

My understanding is you want to try to have an even amount of shims at the top and the bottom.  You are simply shimming to maintain a proprer preload.

I believe all Willys will vary a bit on the amount of shimming required, but I checked mine and found .020 shims on top and bottom.

You can put a bit of sealant on the shims.  Not much, or it will mess up your preload.  I do leak a bit around the studs.  A little Permatex #2 on the threads may help stop this potential leak point.

Tim

[BMIC]

Thanks for the reply Tim... I hane been reading so much Willy's lately that I'm not sure of the source but was there a modification to the late 50's Dana 25 that changed the shimming to just the top king pin? I do not have the Willy's repair manual with me ot work (usually do) but I believe it also talks about shimming just the top to get the correct preload. I may be  having a senior moment but I also read you can measure the preload with a fishing scale, I don't think it was the repair manual. A clue may be that my king pins bolt on, no studs. The answer may be as you suggest, a bit of Permatex on each bolt. The shim issue has me stumped though.....

[athawk11]

You may be right.  The difference between studs and bolts may change the rules.  I'm not entirely sure it would make much difference regarding the placement of the shims.  You're essentially just eliminating the play and improving bearing performance.  Hopefully others will chime in.  I'd like to know for sure.  Let me know what you go with.

Tim

[Ryan_M]

Page 76 of Bob W's excellent 3A book:

"12/50:  .....Front axle changes; The bottom face on the steering knuckles was increased by 0.058" to eliminate the need for lower king pin bearing shims. Adjustment of king pin bearings was now made only with shims under the top cap. To provide a better seal, a rubber and spring knuckle seal replaced the previous cork seal in production...."

[BMIC]

Thanks Ryan, that is a bit of timely info for me. I read Bob W's book about a year ago, I guess it's about time to dust it off and read it again. You have had a good weekend, 16 hours a day working on your 3A and reading Bob W in bed. Your nominated for thet 2A thread "You know your a jeep nut when".

[athawk11]

Great information Ryan.  I really should put some time aside to read his book.

I have a 49, thus the shim difference.  Great stuff.

Tim