30-11-2017, 05:16 PM
(This post was last modified: 30-11-2017, 05:17 PM by Stuart Giles.)
I have done the kingpins on a few Big Seven axles in the past, and was always lucky enough to pick up period -Thompson, Brivec etc. manufacture kingpin sets to do the work. These did include a bronze thrust washer as well as the hardened steel washer in the package. However, the Bronze thrust washer was never anywhere near thick enough; I assumed that this was due to the recess below the axle eye having worn deeper over the years.
Rather than put a stack of washers in there, I just turned up a pair of thicker thrust washers on the lathe. I used Colphos (a type of Phoshor Bronze) for these, because that's what I had in the workshop at the time. AFAIK they're still working OK, I think almost any bearing material would work there; but I wouldn't be happy to use Oilite (Sintered Bronze) as it is really brittle.
Rather than put a stack of washers in there, I just turned up a pair of thicker thrust washers on the lathe. I used Colphos (a type of Phoshor Bronze) for these, because that's what I had in the workshop at the time. AFAIK they're still working OK, I think almost any bearing material would work there; but I wouldn't be happy to use Oilite (Sintered Bronze) as it is really brittle.