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Can I heat the king pin assembly with a torch?

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Old 12-21-2021, 04:07 PM
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Default Can I heat the king pin assembly with a torch?

I am in the process of putting new front upper and lower ball joints in my 2005 Dodge 4wd pickup. It is a 2500. I am now trying to remove the front wheel bearing off the pickup. I have 2 of the 4 bolts completely out and the other 2 cracked loose and screwed out about a 1/4" I have an 18MM socket on those 2 remaining bolts and a small porta power pushing between the frame and these 2 bolt/socket combinations. The wheel bearing assembly will NOT bust loose from the cast kingpin assembly. Can I heat the cast iron kingpin to get the wheel bearing assembly to come off ? I have zapped it with an air hammer while the porta power pressure is on and it still won't pop loose? Heating it is my next choice but worried that I could distort it.
 
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Old 12-21-2021, 11:22 PM
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If you have upper and lower ball joints, Then you would have a king pin. You would have an axle assy. Yes the heat could distort the axle assy if it gets too hot. If you have a lot of rust on the front end. Soak it with WD40 or ATF and leave it over night.
 
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Old 12-22-2021, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by master tech
If you have upper and lower ball joints, Then you would have a king pin. You would have an axle assy. Yes the heat could distort the axle assy if it gets too hot. If you have a lot of rust on the front end. Soak it with WD40 or ATF and leave it over night.
I think that should be: "Wouldn't have a kingpin".......
 
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Old 12-22-2021, 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by master tech
If you have upper and lower ball joints, Then you would have a king pin. You would have an axle assy. Yes the heat could distort the axle assy if it gets too hot. If you have a lot of rust on the front end. Soak it with WD40 or ATF and leave it over night.
Not WD-40. A quality penetrating oil like PBlaster, Kroll, etc.
 
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Old 12-22-2021, 10:36 AM
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A picture of your current situation would be helpful.
I think what you are asking is, "how do I separate the wheel bearing from the steering knuckle?" Let me know if I misunderstand.
Mastertech gives good advice about soaking the area. I'd add that PB Blaster could be used also.
Can you get a pry bar or screwdriver between the bearing and knuckle?
 
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Old 12-22-2021, 06:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Kerryf
I am in the process of putting new front upper and lower ball joints in my 2005 Dodge 4wd pickup. It is a 2500. I am now trying to remove the front wheel bearing off the pickup. I have 2 of the 4 bolts completely out and the other 2 cracked loose and screwed out about a 1/4" I have an 18MM socket on those 2 remaining bolts and a small porta power pushing between the frame and these 2 bolt/socket combinations. The wheel bearing assembly will NOT bust loose from the cast kingpin assembly. Can I heat the cast iron kingpin to get the wheel bearing assembly to come off ? I have zapped it with an air hammer while the porta power pressure is on and it still won't pop loose? Heating it is my next choice but worried that I could distort it.

I don't think I've seen a king pin on a Dodge truck since the 1971 straight axle truck I had years ago. I recently did my wheel bearing on my '96 Ram and I just took the steering knuckle off, braced it on wood and wailed away with a DBH until I drove the bearing assembly out.
 
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Old 12-22-2021, 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by ol' grouch
I don't think I've seen a king pin on a Dodge truck since the 1971 straight axle truck I had years ago. I recently did my wheel bearing on my '96 Ram and I just took the steering knuckle off, braced it on wood and wailed away with a DBH until I drove the bearing assembly out.
I think he is confusing terms here. I suspect "king pin" is actually "Knuckle".....

How many miles on the bearings? Are you planning on reinstalling them? If yes, then don't use heat. Chems, a big hammer, and possibly a chisel would be best..... (well, better anyway....)
 
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Old 12-22-2021, 10:50 PM
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Sorry I was tried last night. The front end wouldn't have a king pin.
 
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Old 12-23-2021, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by HeyYou
I think he is confusing terms here. I suspect "king pin" is actually "Knuckle".....

How many miles on the bearings? Are you planning on reinstalling them? If yes, then don't use heat. Chems, a big hammer, and possibly a chisel would be best..... (well, better anyway....)

If I pull bearings that are difficult to get out, I replace them. Considering the effort involved, I'm lazy enough to over come the internal cheapskate.
 
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Old 12-23-2021, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by master tech
Sorry I was tried last night. The front end wouldn't have a king pin.

Goodness, what did you DO? What did you have a jury trial or just a judge?
 



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