Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 AT 5:32 PM
This truck has a independent, I-beam front axle. I am replacing the kingpins and all steering linkage on it. I removed all the linkage, calipers & rotors to access the spindle. The drivers/left kingpin came off relatively easy, just had to use a little heat. On the left/passenger side I took the nut off the tapered anchor bolt that goes through & secures the kingpin to the axle. I then attempted to punch the anchor bolt back to remove it but it was seized up. The threads that stuck out the front were bending so I cut them off with a sawzall flush at the opening of the hole. I then continued to try removing the bolt with a punch the diameter of the bolt but it wouldn't move backwards out of the hole. I then put a porta-power on the read of the axle to keep it from flexing backwards while I punched from the front but it didn't move at all. I then put the porta-power on the front & attempted to press the pin backwards but no movement at all. I then heated the axle AROUND the bolt hole, front and rear, and tried again but no movement. I attempted to "blow a hole" through the bolt with a torch and was able to take approximately 1/4" inward off the rear of the bolt and approx. 1/2" off the front of the bolt but my torch wouldn't take it in any deeper. I then mounted the porta-power on the rear & kept pressure pushing forward on the axle while I used a sledge hammer & a good punch but no movement at all. I've done 20-30 kingpin jobs in my career but this is the first time I've ever seen the anchor bolt seize and not come out. I"ve been working on this for over a day and have to get it out Thursday; would appreciate any help or suggestions you can give me as soon as possible, thanks.

