Today when I had a flat tire and I got the spare put on I noticed that the hub wobbles about 1/8 inch in and out. I had someone tell me it was either the kingpins or bearings. If this is true, which is it?? I have a Dana 44 front axle if that helps at all. Thanks for any input.

Fordman

 

I might be wrong here, but I thought only Dana 60 axels had kingpins. I've had to replace mine on my axel, but my wheel leaned in at the top which tipped me off to the problem. If I had to guess on your problem, I would say it was bearings. Like I said though, I don't Know for sure because I don't have that axel.

NB

 

the dana 44 has ball joints .although in what you describe i would have to say its going to be wheel bearings.this is common i have heard from alot of people its also happened to me in my dana 44.its usually from bearings not seated completly before installing 2 spindle nuts and washer

 

All Ford 2WD had Kingpins at least until '96. The only way I know of to check this out is tighten the bearings TIGHT, then check for up and down play. Be sure to re-adjust your bearings when you get done.

Trail Rider

 

Unless my brain isnt working,When the kingpins are bad and the vehicle is jacked up the whole spindle, drum and wheel moves. If the bearings are shot the hub would move around on the spindle.
Think thats right

 

If you can tell me if there are 4 retainer bolts at the top & bottom of the knuckle I can tell you what you need to know, if it is the wheel spindle bearings that are loose you will be able to move the wheel in and out also.If it is the trunnion bearings , they usually need replaced . Just rebuilt mine ,so if you need any help please ask !

 

I thought you wanted to know how to tell if it was bearings out of adj or bad KP. If you think the bearings are bad then change them first.

Trail Rider

 

Kingpins will give verticl movement but not much lateral. Jack the truck up an have someone pry up on the tire with a 2x4 watch (safely ie; jackstands). You should be able to see the movement at the king pin.

 

Since when did Ford put king pins on a Dana 44 front axle? Is this another one of Ford's better ideas?

<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>

 

My 1971 F 100 4x4 has a stock dana 44 front end with 2 kingpin and bearings that do the same thing as ball joints .I belive in 72 Ford and dana changed to ball joint pivots. The king or "Trunnion" bearings work as well as ball joints but require a little modification to keep things running smoothley.The main mod. is to center drill all 4 kingpins with a 3/32nd bitt,then drill and tap the outside to axcept a grease nipple,then cross score the bottom of the pin so grease flows evenly.Lack of lubrication was the downfall of this system , this fixes that ,I have been running this setup for years with no failure or apparent wear. By the way,this is a stock "open knuckle"that can be upgraded to a 74 or newer beefier axle with a little modification and grinding.Ask if you need any help <<<Nod>>>

 

Not to be overly technical, but the 4x4 front axles do not have parts which are commonly referred to as "king pins." The older closed-knuckle Dana front axles have what are commonly referred to as trunnion bearings. The shaft which the bearings ride on are officially referred to as the spindle shafts (not to be confused with the actual "spindle"). As noted the open knuckle axles have ball joints instead of these bearings.

<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>

 

Well if Dana did not make a open knuckle Dana 44 1/2 ton front end then I must be seeing things because there is one of them under the front of my 1971 F100 4x4.Over the years I have seen many of these great front ends.Also when the trunnion bearings go out there is in and out play as well as side to side!

 

 

[img]/dcforum/Images/wink.gif[/img]

<font color="#f80732" size="4" face="Graphite Light">Stock Man
</font><font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1967 F-250 FE 390 4wd</font>
<font color="#0000FF" size="2" face="Graphite Light">1966 F-250 I6 240 2wd LWB Flare Side</font>
<a href="http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee">http://www.hometown.aol.com/tbeeee</a>