Have a Question: Re: Thrust washers on Truck

[GBC]

I replaced the king pins, bushings and thrust washers on the front axle of a 53 2R6 1/2 ton truck. Had the bushings machined to fit the new king pins, so they rotate smoothly.

Put everything back together (but did not pay attention to the direction of the thrust washer when I took the assembly apart), now when the tires are on the ground with the full weight of the truck, turning the steering wheel feels like their is some binding going on somewhere or an obstruction. Will only turn a small amount in either direction, then locks up. Turns fine when the tires are off the ground (truck on jack stands). I put power steering in and the pump squeals badly with the full weight of the truck, not on jack stands, tires on the ground. I want to know whether the flat side of the thrust washer should be facing upward or the other way with the machined side facing up. The only thing I can think of as causing the problem is that I put the thrust washers in wrong. I was thinking maybe the flat side of the washer should be facing down, machine side up. I put them back in with the flat side up, machined side down.
Any advice and what else should I check?

[Ron Dame]

I'm sorry no one else has answered your question, and I can't rememeber myself. But AFAIR, there was a definite top and bottom for the thrust bearings. Maybe looking at the complete assembly near teh thrust bearing will show a binding. It's good you had the bushings reamed to fit, that was my 1st guess of a problem.

Was any other work performed?

Ron Dame
'63 Champ

[Dwain G.]

The flat side of the thrust bearing should be down, and most importantly it must be installed below the axle end. Install shims as needed above the axle end to eliminate all up and down play.
While you have it apart make sure the grease holes in the new bushings are aligned with the zerk fittings. Now is the time to drill them if needed.


Dwain G.

[GBC]

Thanks Ron and Dwain for the expert advice. Now I feel I will not be wasting my time removing the thrust washers and putting them back in correctly. I feel more motivated to get to it now.

Dwain, I did check the jerk fitting wholes to make sure they were concentric to the wholes in the bushings. Also greased the bushings and king pins after putting the parts back together and the grease did squirt out of both ends of the king pins on both left and right sides, so I am sure the wholes are lined up to allow the grease to escape.

Like I said in my original posting, I did put the thrust washers in incorrectly, flat side up. They are in the correct location, lower end of the spindle and king pins. The shims are at the top. Thanks again for the input, I feel less frustrated now.

Garth Collins, San Francisco