Spicer Drive Axles Failure Analysis Service Manual - Manual (Page 48)

Steer Axle
47
Bushing and Kingpin Wear - Contamination
General Description:
Rust, grooving, and scoring to the bushing area of the kingpin, bushings excessively worn, and contamination built up in bushing.
Usual Causes:
• Lack of grease (greasing intervals too infrequent)
• Contamination damage (greasing not long enough to flush contaminants from kingpin joint)
• Excessive knuckle vertical play
• Wrong grease type
Failure Prevention:
• Grease intervals must be adjusted to match the environment of the vehicle. The more contamination, the more you need
to grease.
• Greasing should continue until clean grease is seen coming from between the joints.
• Knuckle vertical play should not exceed .040".
• Use #2 lithium grease only.
Bushing - Clogged with Contamination Kingpin - Grooving from Contamination
Bushing - Lack of Grease Kingpin - Lack of Grease