King pin shims

Got an 09 plate with factory alloys.
Got the swivels apart to replace king pin bearings. I picked out a copper washer on the inside top of the swivel when I dismantled. This is fractionally too big to be fitted from the outside. I also had another, smaller, non-copper washer drop out although I didn't see from where.

Am I correct in thinking both annealed copper, and the shim type washers sold on the site can be fitted just by pulling the king pins out? No need to have the swivel apart? In which case I'm thinking of just getting it back together shimless and retro-fitting those if needed. Does that sound sensible?

The write up in the shop for the copper washers confuses me slightly. It describes fitting them on the inside when the bearings are changed, and then goes on to talk about fitting two washers with, I think, just top king pin out.

Thanks for any comments.

Rob

Yes, you just pop the shim on the kingpin and bolt it back. You can just whip a kingpin out with the whole knuckle as one but you have to hold the weight of the knuckle and it gets heavy. You wouldn't want to let it hang on the other kingpin.

I think I've done it in the past.

I have tried both shims and annealed copper washers. The annealed copper washers get crushed and accurately fill any slack so are a once only use. The shims obviously have to be fitted and removed by trial and error to be sure they are not too tight.

Essentially it is as simple as you think by sliding a washer or shim onto the kingpin though.

Copper washers need to be annealed though. Otherwise they are a solid shim.

Kirkynut

Sheepish wrote: I'm thinking of just getting it back together shimless and retro-fitting those if needed. Does that sound sensible?
Rob

That's the method described in the Suzuki Technical Service Bulletin. Only add shims if required, increasing the thickness until it stops wobbling or the preload exceeds the recommended value (which I've forgotten!)

can anyone tell me the dimensions of the washers?

When I rebuilt my swivels both sides did not have any packing washers, copper or steel, I believe this is how it left the factory.
Even though I had a pack of steel shims from the Big Jimny shop when I assembled with new Koyo bearings, again both sides did not require any fitting to achieve the correct swivel load. After assembly I have no wobble and this is a factory spec 09 on standard tyres / wheels.

You only need to fit them if you can't achieve the correct swivel load with the new bearings alone.

Sorry don't know this size.

Correct. As long as the preload is in the area of 3.5 kg pull constant with a spring balance on the ball joint hole for the steering drag link with or without shims then you are good to go.