Kingpins?

[Bodie]

I've got a 71 850. Took it to get new tires and alignment this morning and was told that the kingpins need to be replaced before the alignment can be done. I am doing this car on a budget (700$). I know little to nothing about cars, but I've got to start somewhere. This car is my only vehicle (well I ride a bicycle). So my questions are: What are Kingpins? ( I have the shop manuel but it doesnt explain very clearly). Where do I buy them? Can I install them myself? How long will it take? Should I still be driving it in the meantime? Am I an idiot? (oh, wait, I can answer that.)

Thanks!

[ITA124]

Kingpins are also known as stub axles. These are the components that the wheel hubs, brake and steering arms connect to. It is very unusual to replace these, but usual to overhaul these. ie replace balljoints, bearings, etc. You only replace if they are broken. You'll know this because your wheel will/should fall off.

On a personal note. I can't believe you bought a Fiat with no vehicle knowledge.

Do you have a toolbox............with tools

May be the bike is the best option

Good luck

[mdrburchette]

There are a couple vendors that deal more with the rear engine cars like your 850. Chris Obert is one. You may also want to try Midwest Bayless. They have a lot of old stock.

[kmead]

The 850 is a car from an earlier era, it doesn't have ball joints and so on to hold the steering knuckle/stub axle. The parts are pretty cheap, less than 40 bucks. It is a bit of a process to replace however and part of it should be done by a machine shop if possible.

One starts off by removing the wheel, the brake caliper, the brake disc, brake caliper mounting bracket, brake backer and the steering tie rod. The shock absorber needs to be removed from the back of the king pin housing. Then the king pin housing is removed by undoing the two bolts that go through the upper A arm and the leaf spring eye at the bottom. If the kingpins need replacing it is likely the bush in the spring eye should be replace as should the upper "estendblok" bushing at the top of the kingpin housing.

Once the kingpin house is removed the kingpin needs to be driven out, the brass bearings/bushes in the housing need to be driven out and then new ones pressed in. After pressing in the new bushings into the housing they need to be reamed to .5908" to .5922" in diameter. Then the knuckle is installed and the new kingpin driven in with new washers and so on. Generally it is best to have this part of the job done by a professional as the tolerances on these parts are very tight and few people have the proper tools.

If you are in Southern California, contact Merkle Weiss for a good place to take them to. Chris Obert (Fiatplus) would be a good person to check with.

[brunorahl]

Don't forget Danny at FUN Imports in Connecticut. I think he actually likes 850's. I know, crazy right!?!?

[Bodie]

Alright, I've taken everything apart and the kingpins are at a machine shop being rebored. While I've got everything apart, is there anything else that I should look into replacing? I've found a few parts that look unevenly worn so I've ordered a few small things but is there anything in particular in the front suspension that I should examine now? And I am in Manhattan Kansas.... so if anyone knows anyone closer...

Thanks!

[kmead]

The bushings at the top of the king pin housing, the rubber bushing in the spring eye of the leaf spring in particular. The upper A arm bushings and of course the inner and outer tie rods, intermediate rod and look at renewing the bushes in the idler arm.

An 850 is pretty simple but nearly forty years has its way with car parts.