86" Railko Swivels Conversion

[cjc_td5]

The friction cone top swivels on my 86" were too far gone and after searching a bit on the forum I decided to switch to Railko bushes.

I bought a Conversion Kit (the right one I hope) but need a bit of guidance as to how it all fits together.

The kit has a brown flat washer (appears to be nylon or similar, second up from bottom of photo) that I presume sits in the bottom of the bush? It has a small hole that corresponds to the hole in the bottom of the bush.

I have to drill out the pin and remove the splined swivel pin from the steering lever. I presume the new pin will drive into the steering arm. Does it need a new grooved pin inserted through the pin and steering arm to stop any movement of the pin in the steering arm? If so, the kit did not include a new grooved pin. I will have to try to source something at a local engineering shop.

My catalog mentions a Railko thrust washer. Is this the white felt washer? Which side does the rubber side go (up or down)? I thought that it may thrust between the shoulder on the steering lever and the shoulder on the railko pin, but if the pin is pinned into the steering arm, then there can be no movement between the two???? (I may have this completely wrong as I ordered a couple of felt/rubber seals for the end of the drive shafts which I am not sure if a received or not...)

Any thoughts? If someone has a workshop diagram or exploded view, that may help heaps.

Thanks,
Chris

[JDNSW]

The friction cone top swivels on my 86" were too far gone and after searching a bit on the forum I decided to switch to Railko bushes.

I bought a Conversion Kit (the right one I hope) but need a bit of guidance as to how it all fits together.

The kit has a brown flat washer (appears to be nylon or similar, second up from bottom of photo) that I presume sits in the bottom of the bush? It has a small hole that corresponds to the hole in the bottom of the bush.

I have to drill out the pin and remove the splined swivel pin from the steering lever. I presume the new pin will drive into the steering arm. Does it need a new grooved pin inserted through the pin and steering arm to stop any movement of the pin in the steering arm? If so, the kit did not include a new grooved pin. I will have to try to source something at a local engineering shop.

My catalog mentions a Railko thrust washer. Is this the white felt washer? Which side does the rubber side go (up or down)? I thought that it may thrust between the shoulder on the steering lever and the shoulder on the railko pin, but if the pin is pinned into the steering arm, then there can be no movement between the two???? (I may have this completely wrong as I ordered a couple of felt/rubber seals for the end of the drive shafts which I am not sure if a received or not...)

Any thoughts? If someone has a workshop diagram or exploded view, that may help heaps.

Thanks,
Chris

1. The Railko thrust washer is the brown flat one which goes where you said
2. The rubber and felt washer is a seal to go under the nut on the end of the half shaft - no idea why it is in this kit.
3. Yes you need a new pin

I would be inclined to stick the swivel pin in the freezer and warm the arm in the oven before fitting them together - probably make life easier. Do not heat the arm enough to affect heat treatment - no more than 150C

John

[cjc_td5]

1. The Railko thrust washer is the brown flat one which goes where you said
2. The rubber and felt washer is a seal to go under the nut on the end of the half shaft - no idea why it is in this kit.
3. Yes you need a new pin

I would be inclined to stick the swivel pin in the freezer and warm the arm in the oven before fitting them together - probably make life easier. Do not heat the arm enough to affect heat treatment - no more than 150C

John

Thanks John.
I ordered a heap of front axle parts that came mixed together in one box, so I had to separate them etc. I ordered the felt washers but the packing slip did not include them, so I was not sure if they were in fact a part of the Railko kit. I didn't recognise them as the drive shaft washers as they are so thick, the ones that came out of my axle were only about 2mm thickness.

I trust the new swivel pins are soft enough (ie not hardened steel) that a new hole can be drilled through them for the new grooved pin when set into the steering arm...

Chris