Spindle Bushing Reamer 3109-81-T

[OilyRascal]

This one is working a little backwards for what I'm used to.  Normally I have a tool and don't know it's use.  Now I have a use, know the tool, and can't find it.

I'm working on my 1965 Ford F-350; reworking the king pin and spindle bushings.  Part of the procedure is line reaming the new bronze bushings to required size with tool 3109-81-T (a spindle bushing reamer).

I've been unable to find a 3109-81-T reamer, and was hoping to use one of the Starrett reamers found in the shop during cleanup.  I'm having a problem going that route because I'm unable to find reference to the specification behind "required size".

Is there a way to get detail on the size of said tool; 3109-81-T?  OR, does someone know how to otherwise determine the spec. for this bushing so that I can find the proper tool?

Many thanks!

[john k]

You do have some expandable reamers, believe I saw some in the piles?    Measure the new king pin with a micrometer.   Add 3-5 thousands in measurement, expand a reamer to that size, carefully align and ream the bushings to fit.   One thing, important, use a reamer long enough to do both bushings at the same time, or they could turn out not paralell.   But, first try the new king pin in the bushings once they are pushed into place, last two I did hardly required any sizing.   

[rusty]

If it is what I think it is, it is .814 with a long lead to catch the second hole while reaming the first.

(I am told the tool is usually unmarked except that size when found floating around at flea markets ;P)

john K's method is just fine as long as your reamer is long enough to stay straight, and you can expand it to the pin size - a few th....

(don't try to use a hone, it's ugly, trust me ;p)

[OilyRascal]

Many thanks!  I think I'll try the .814 lead in research, but will probably follow John's common sense approach.  Not sure I have a reamer that is that long, although the king pin didn't seem terribly long and I know I have some long reamers.  It (king pin) still had "most" of it's original finish but had one wear spot where the grease insert had been broken off on lower side and clearly not serviced in a while.   Again, appreciate the pointers. 

I wouldn't mind having this tool if someone just "happens" across it.

[lauver]

Oily,

I had new bushings installed in the front axle of my old truck at a shop that specialized in front ends and suspensions.  I also got to hang around and watch the whole process.  It was interesting to say the least.

1) they did a quick clean up of the entire axle assembly and mounted the entire assembly in a fixture and measured it about 9 ways to make sure the axle beam and spindles were not bent or tweeked.

2) they removed the king pin, zirks, pressed out the old bushings, and cleaned everything up with solvent and compressed air.

3) they pressed in the new bushings, and mic'd the king pin, then grabbed the appropriate adjustable reamer that corresponded to the king pin diameter (way bigger than anything I had in my garage).

4) they placed the front axle and spindles back in the fixture that held everything in rough alignment and reamed all the bushings to OEM specs in two simple operation (one per spindle).

5) after a quick clean up with brake cleaner and compressed air, they lightly greased the king pin and bushings and tapped the king pin back into the assembly, fastened them in place, and installed new zirks.

6) they greased the entire assembly, wiped the excess grease off, and loaded it in the bed of my other truck.

The entire process took about 20 minutes, and was quite reasonable cost wise.  The finished axle assembly was snug and smooth. I left with my freshened up axle and felt good about the entire process knowing it was done right.

In hindsight, I could have done it myself, if-- I had had a press, the right size adjustable reamer, a bigger bench, a huge vise, and at least two more hands. 

[OilyRascal]

Mr. Gary - Thanks for sharing your experience in a detailed way.  I think I'm good on tools to do it myself with the possible exception of the reamer.  I've not made any progress over yesterday figuring out if I have a reamer that will work.  If I don't I think I'll opt to purchase one, so I may have it the next time it is needed.  More to come.

PS - you have basically described the procedure as outlined in the Ford shop manual for the truck.

[lauver]

Oily,

You can definately do it yourself.  I know a couple of guys who have done it with the axle still mounted on the truck, but they didn't check the axle/spindles for "plumbness with the universe" and they had some bushing removal/installation tools that I don't have.  Nevertheless, they were lucky and achieved the desired results.

You go guy!

[johnsironsanctuary]

Oily,
I have the .814 reamer in front of me. If you want it, I'll mail it to you. Send it back when you are done. Henry Ford himself set that as the standard diameter for Model A spindles. It was the same for many, many years.

John

[Lostmind]

John , you'll have to update that tag on your box.That is very interesting that they stayed the same all those years.

[OilyRascal]

Oily,
I have the .814 reamer in front of me. If you want it, I'll mail it to you. Send it back when you are done. Henry Ford himself set that as the standard diameter for Model A spindles. It was the same for many, many years.

John

Mr. John - you are the man!  I'll most certainly take you up on the offer.  PM inbound.

[OilyRascal]

Bump - still looking to put this tool (3109-81-T reamer) in the toolbox.  If it is absent the original packaging it is most likely marked only ".921".  Please PM if you have information on availability.  I have a girl down hard awaiting tool.   My specific application is a 1965 F350.

PS - Papaw, please feel free to move this if you'd rather have it in the "wanted" section.