Replacing the pendulum kingpin - how to do it yourself?
Content
The suspension of the car and its condition directly affect the safety of passengers and the comfort of the trip. Under the influence of unevenness and operation of the vehicle in various conditions, it may be necessary to replace the kingpin of the steering knuckle. Do not underestimate the matter and sometimes you just need to give the car to a specialist. However, you can replace the elements yourself and save. How to proceed step by step? We describe everything in our guide!
Replacing the pendulum pin - why is it necessary?
The pin in the rocker is a kind of handle that contains elements that provide rotation. It consists of parts that are attached to the pendulum and the steering knuckle. Usually there is something like an “apple” between them, which dampens the vibrations and shocks that occur when driving. A serviceable pin has no play when the wheel moves, and a worn one gives tangible vibrations. They will be heard when driving, especially on rough roads.
What are the risks of not replacing the swingarm pivot?
Unfortunately, many drivers want to save money and neglect to replace the swing arm pin, putting their car at risk. Experience and knowledge about the operation of this element shows that you can take a very big risk by postponing the replacement indefinitely. Detachment of the pin will cause the wheel to spin uncontrollably and damage the suspension components. You can imagine what can happen while driving at highway speeds when one of the wheels suddenly comes off.
Swingarm Pin Replacement - Part Price
The pin itself in many cars is not too expensive. Its price is usually in the range of 80-15 euros per piece. However, it should be remembered that the replacement of the steering knuckle in the car must be done in pairs. For vehicles with one front control arm, two of these kits must be purchased. You will have to pay a little more for suspension repairs on cars with multi-link suspension, where there are even 3 of them on each side. In total, 6 contacts need to be replaced! And how much would it cost to replace the pivot?
Rocker arm replacement and cost
How much will you pay for pendulum replacement? The cost of works varies between 40-8 euros per unit. Much depends on what model of car you have and what condition its suspension is in. The final cost usually also depends on the reputation of the workshop itself, and prices vary by location. However, taking into account the amounts mentioned, one may wonder about the meaning of such repairs. Instead, sometimes it's better to change levers along with bushings and pins. This is justified not only by economic reasons.
Is it always worth changing the pivots?
It is worth answering this question. First, consider the costs. Remember that the suspension wears out completely, but at different rates. By replacing only the swingarm kingpin, you will soon be able to visit the workshop again, because the bushings will need to be replaced. Secondly, aluminum wishbones are more prone to deformation. In order not to change the shape of the pendulum during assembly, it is sometimes better not to replace it more than once. Replacing the pendulum kingpin is, of course, several hundred zlotys cheaper than replacing the entire set, but sometimes it is worth deciding on a major overhaul of the entire suspension.
Replacing the pendulum pin - do it yourself!
How to replace the kingpin with your own hands? You will need a garage with enough space. It is definitely not worth doing such repairs in a residential parking lot. It is usually useful to have a lift or pit available. Replacing the pendulum kingpin is not particularly difficult and can be described in several paragraphs. You will need the following tools:
- lift up;
- wheel wrench;
- ring wrench or grinder (depending on whether the first is a pin replacement or subsequent ones);
- wrench;
- punch or hammer;
- rust remover;
- metal brush;
- scrap.
Removing the wheel, lifting the vehicle and assessing the situation
- First you need to loosen the wheel bolts.
- In the next step, lift the car and start to unscrew it.
- After removing the wheel, you will see a cotter pin. If the suspension elements have never changed on the car, the kingpin was fastened with rivets. Therefore, its disassembly will require cutting them. However, if you have an older car, then this element has probably been repaired before and there will be mounting screws instead of rivets. It's time for the next step of replacing the swingarm kingpin.
We get rid of the fastening and knock out the pin
- Depending on what condition you see after removing the wheel, choose the appropriate tools.
- Cut off the rivets, then unscrew the bolt nut with a wrench.
- With the existing mounting bolts, replacing the swingarm pivot requires unscrewing the bolts before you get to the top bolt.
- Having unscrewed all the elements, you can remove it from the pendulum.
- The last stage is knocking out the cotter pin from the steering knuckle. Do it gently but firmly. Keep an eye on adjacent suspension components and brake lines.
Rocker arm installation
Now all you have to do is set the new element in place of the old one. This will be much easier if you carefully clean all the parts where the new rocker is to be installed. You repeat all the steps you went through when disassembling the element, but of course in reverse order. If you install a pin on one side of the car, it will need to be changed on the other side. As a rule, the second unmodified pin is inserted immediately after the replacement of the first.
What to do after replacing the kingpin?
It is difficult to be XNUMX% sure that the wheel geometry has not been affected. Therefore, it is worth going to the workshop, where you can check it. The values may not change too drastically, but they are usually worth checking after every intervention on the car's suspension components. Swingarm pivot replacement is one such repair.
If you have a few necessary tools and a bit of knowledge, this replacement will save you some money. However, replacing the rocker pin requires some practice and patience. Not everyone can cope with this, and sometimes it is better to contact a trusted workshop, saving yourself nerves and time.
