1948 201 King pins and bushings

INFORMATION FROM THE DIAMOND T REGISTER 1982 # 1 PAGE 8 ; by T. J. Carr ; A brief note on REBUILDING the Clark Model 250F axle as used on the Model 201. A NEW FRONT AXLE KING PIN and BUSHING SET is the NAPA (Allied) # 1417.
NOTE: THIS SET OF PARTS IS REALLY INTENDED for a (Dodge vehicle), and as such is NOT EXACTLY CORRECT. IT MAY BE USED, and indeed be the only thing AVAILABLE in most instances. the king pins are .300 to long and must be shortened.

INSTALLING KING PINS AND BUSHINGS BY T.J. CARR ; Rebuilding the CLARK MODEL 250F AXLE as used on the (D T Truck) Model 201;{continued} To accomplish this one may grind the long end off, with a suitable grinder. the king pins are surface hardened to a depth of about .020″, and therefore can not be simply cut off with a band saw or hack saw. a cleaner method is to use a suitable carbide tool in a lathe, run the lathe at around 50 R.P.M., and remove about .035″ from the O.D. of the long end of the pin. After the hard surface is removed, as detected by the parting off the excess, use the carbide tool again to put about a 45 degree champher on the end of the pin.

INSTALLING KING PINS and BUSHINGS by T.J.CARR ; REBUILDING THE CLARK MODEL 250F AS USED ON THE (D T TRUCK) MODEL 201.
{continued} The new bushes( *bushings) will need to be honed to size. There exists a difference of opinion, again about
50-50, about honing or reaming. With a proper hone such as a Sunnen spindle hone, both *bushes can be made a nice palm press fit, and be perfectly parallel. In the hand of a skilled operator, a fixed Reamer for the first fit, and an adjustable Reamer with pilot, for the final fit will yield perfectly satisfactory results. Be certain to clean all old grease and metal from the *bushes after honing.
The Timken thrust bearing that came originally on the Model 201 should be “RETAINED”. Usually a careful cleaning is all that they REQUIRE to be put back in service. The bearings that come in the N.A.P.A. kit are called FRICTION THRUST WASHERS, and will make the 201 “HARD” TO “STEER”. IF after Reassembly, a “LOW SPEED SHIMMY” persists when ALL OTHER PARTS of the AXLE ARE “CORRECT” ( CASTER , CAMBER , and TOE IN ) , then the ( FRICTION THRUST WASHER ) MAY BE INSTALLED IN THE “RIGHT” (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE AXLE “ONLY”.

INSTALLING KING PINS and BUSHINGS by T.J. CARR ; REBUILDING the CLARK Model 250F as used on the (D T Truck) Model 201.
{continued} THE N.A.P.A. KIT does NOT come with NEW SOFT PLUGS for the TOPS and BOTTOMS of the SPINDLES, so FOUR 1.250″
Dorman PLUGS must be obtained. AS SOLD THEY WILL NOT GO BACK IN TO THE OLD RELIEFS. TURN THE APPROIATE SOCKET UPSIDE DOWN and place the CONVEX SIDE of the SOFT PLUG (core plug) in the SOCKET , place a 1/2″ x 20 Nut on the CONCAVE SIDE of the WASHER and put the assembly in the HYDRAULIC PRESS. PRESS UNTIL THE EDGE of the PLUG IS ABOUT EVEN WITH THE NUT, and then REMOVE the SOFT PLUG. THE PLUG WILL NOW FIT in the RECESS in the SPINDLE.(IF it does not, press it some more).SMACK IT A GOOD SOLID BLOW WITH A HAMMER, and the plug will conform to the ORIGINAL RELIEF Internal Diameter. PEEN OR STAKE THE SPINDLE METAL over just as the ORIGINAL was, TOP and BOTTOM, BOTH ENDS, GREASE IT, and the AXLE will be GOOD for many more miles of service.

DIAMOND T TRUCK MODEL 201 ; CLARK FRONT AXLE: 180 – 185 “OR” 250 – 251 ;
KING BOLT CAN BE ADAPTED ( cut to proper length ) from Dodge truck set (.935″ outside diameter) –
N.A.P.A. CHASSIS PART # ( A 417 ) 262 – 1417.
INFORMATION FROM THE DIAMOND T REGISTER 1982 # 1 , page 5 ; Diamond T Truck, Restoration / Repair Parts LIST ; MODEL 201.