Front Suspension

kamzack

Is there a source for upper and lower outer pivot pins,inner bushings and kinpins, bushigs and seals?
Thanks in advance,
Kim

Snailslayer

try Randy and Russ Maas in IL. they advertise on the CHI/MILW het site as having the ability to fix suspension items. I dont know first hand. let us know what you find.

kamzack

Thanks for the lead. After a discussion with someone who has an extensive Hudson background, I'm not gonna fix what isn't broken. My intent was to disassenble all components to clean and paint. Thought while it's apart, why not replace moving parts. I did as directed and didn't find enough movement to justify replacing pins and bushings. I do have a bellcrank pin kit on hand, so i'll go ahead redo it. I guess I'm use to Studebaker front suspensions needing to be rebuilt after 40 to 50k.
Thanks again,
Kim

russmaas

The king pins do wear, but if they had been maintaned with grease they should be okay. The center steering almost always need replaced though. As stated earlier if you want king pins or center steering replaced you can send it to me and I will clean and replace and you can re-install.

russ maas

[Deleted User]

Yes do not allow any play in the center steer assembly. The slightest bit and your car will wander. And yes you will find the Hudson is different than most of the other cars ,
Roger

kamzack

Thanks guys,
I've only Been a Hudson owner for 11 years. Although Hudson were always in my family since I was born and came home in a Hudson. This is my first partial tear down and I'm very inpressed with the way they were put together and the strengh that was built in. I hope to have the 254 done in a couple of months and decided to remove the front cap to clean and paint frame, suspension parts and paint firewall. What a massive front end. In cleaning the top of the passenger frame rail, I began to to see the serial# stamped in it. I've not heard of anyone here mentioning that before.
I've stories of some that have had to rebuild perimter frames and the difficulty of same. I removed the rockers in the last few days and wow, driver's side is perfect. Passenger side will about 8" vertical and horizontal repair just behind the crossmember. I feel real fortuneant to have what I have. I've read here that progress pictures are enjoyed and would like to share mine if I can figure out how to load and post them if there's any interest.
Thanks for letting me share,
Kim
I'm still inclined to remove suspension parts to clean and get good paint coverage. What are the opinions here?

kamzack

Russ,
I don't see or feel any play in the King pins or tie rods, bu there's just a bit of play in the bellcrank pin, so as mentioned I will replace it. It looks to have been serviced regularly because the gobs of grease I've cleaned from everything. I think that's what has preserved all of the seals and boots on everything. I've also removed both silver and black from everything. Did Hudson use silver as a primer and black as top coat? I cna't tell which came first.
Thanks,
Kim

RL Chilton

Kim-

Best way to tell if there is any play in the kingpins is with the tire mounted and jacked up. Placing a hand each at 12:00 and 6:00 and trying to wiggle the tire on it's vertical axis. Any play denotes wear in the kingpins. Even the smallest of play will allow the car to wander around on the road.

Lee ODell

RL Chilton wrote:

Kim-

Best way to tell if there is any play in the kingpins is with the tire mounted and jacked up. Placing a hand each at 12:00 and 6:00 and trying to wiggle the tire on it's vertical axis. Any play denotes wear in the kingpins. Even the smallest of play will allow the car to wander around on the road.

I agree with the method of checking for loose king pins, but the play may be loose wheel bears instead of king pins. By adjusting any looseness out of the wheel bearing and there is still play then the king pins are loose and you should be able to see the spindle move.

Lee O'Dell

kamzack

I did check before removing wheels and didn't see any excessive movement in the bearings, pins or tie rods. As metioned bellcrank pin will be replaced. I've done quite a number of similar front ends and I do want it as near perfect as can be achieved. I've done street rods and worked in a Studebaker only restoration shop in my past, but that only makes me have enough knowledge to be dangerous.
While underneath it today I noticed that the suspension crossmember unbolts, so now I know I'm gonna take everything apart. I don't believe I've seen another make post war made like that. Although the independant suspensions on Chevies did til 48.
Thanks for letting me share,
Kim

[Deleted User]

That is removable for access to the oil pan on most stepdowns. They set the engine as low as they could for low center of gravity,
Roger