Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing HardChrome Kingpins

+2 and add a pair of DW's rebound spring gaiters

What lifespan are people getting out of Hard Chrome king pins. I fitted a set 9 years ago and 20k miles later I note I now have King Pin wear noted at the MOT. Is this the usual lifespan or premature? From memory people used to say they should last 50k… expect it is better than the mild steel ones.

On the replacement front is hard chrome and bronze spiralled bushes the best was to go?

Many thanks
Will

I have just had the original ( Mild Steel ?) factory King Pins changed on my 2014 4/4 at 38,000 miles. Only one side was failed at the MOT- although I had both sides replaced.
They have had a gaiter over the rebound spring since new.
The replacements are Hard Chrome which appears to be the best option.

I currently have around 45k miles on my hardchrome pins with plain bronze bushes, lubricated every 1500 miles. No noticeable wear yet.

60k+ on one side , but I had to replace a bent Kingpin on the nearside:that was about 40k ago roughly. I grease when I grease, probably 3 to 5k, or at oil change roughly. No gaiters or other protection, just the occasional blast with a pressure washer. 95k now, and no problems so far as I know.
Phil

GoMog had hard chrome kingpins lasting 100,000+ miles with care. Scroll down to listing of various types and lifespan here.

JohnV6 had his OE stainless ones replaced recently at 30,000 miles with comment they could have lasted another 5,000. This would have placed them spot in the middle of GoMog predicted life. Mine have barely discernible wear at 23,000 miles which disappears after greasing.

Thanks Richard . I changed them as the car was at Allon Whites for something else and as we saw on your lift there was significant wear. The previous owner did 6k year 1, then I bought it at 6 years old with 9k on it and I suspect little use added to the wear (I do 8k plus per annum).

I am hoping the hard chrome pins with Wolf Performance gaiters will mean the car won't need changing the pins for quite a while.

Phil 60k with such a low grease regime is impressive.

Was it just an 'advisory' rather than an MOT fail, some modern MOT stations that don't see classics often want to see very tight suspension joints and don't really understand Kingpins will exhibit a tiny bit of jiggle, especially if they use a blinkin long pry bar to test

Yes it was just advisory. It was BHM that marked it down on the MOT so I expect they are used them.. maybe just need a good greasing to take up some slack..

You'll find the hard chrome kingpins don't wear. The lower bronze bushing on the other hand will, eventually wear. Usually due to dirt intrusion. I had over 160,000 miles on mine before an over haul. yes, lower bush worn.

YMMV.