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What’s your process to remove a kingpin?
I feel like these splined ones are meant to die with the baseplate; never had this issue with pins prior to that that a hammer couldn’t fix.
I’m seriously think sledge style.
I’ve got so many trucks where if I could flip the pin to a shorter one I could extend the life of the truck.
If it is only the length of the kingpin that bothers you (I assume because of ground down hangers), why not try to file down the excess length of the pin? You can use an angle grinder for extra-fast results. Just make sure that you have the nut on the pin (can use it as a limit) so that it works as a re-threader when you unscrew it out to clear up the edge/thread. Also, if you go the angle grinder way, keep in mind that less is more. I ground down a set of pins to the point that the trucks felt too tight, even with soft bushings on. Amazing kingpin clearance and all...
A hacksaw appropriate for cutting metal might be cleaner and allow the nut to still be screwed off (since I imagine using a file on the kingpin might create so harsh edge on the thread).
I must have missed this on the first round, but this is something I do a lot of adjustments to, but to note, people have fairly easily hammered out kingpins from almost all brands of trucks, more often with a custom jig they have set up to hold the baseplate in place and getting it on just the right angle, as per this instagram account:
https://www.instagram.com/fuckwithyourtrucks/If the kingpin is solid, threads down through it not messed up and still works but is too high, don't try to take it out, just angle grind it down, as others said above.
A gentle hand with an angle grinder is the best way I found to fix any kingpin issues. Never go too hard straight down, but do a little one side, then the other, round it off and you won't even catch any threads when taking the kingpin nut off and putting it back on.
I still keep a kingpin rethreader handy anyway, cause sometimes it just needs a little extra help, but usually I have the truck set up with cut down or low top bushings on kingpins that need more clearance, then go at it, a bit at a time, not heating up the kiingpin too much, taking it down to approximately where I need it, but not too much either.
People have cooked the nyloc from the nut and melted bushings going too hard and causing it to heat up too much when grinding, so just note that too.
I can't even think how many boards / sets of trucks I have done this to, more often than not for people (and my own boards) where the trucks have been worn down to the point of the kingpin being annoying or dangerous in how tall it now sits in relation to the hanger,
The process is fairly simple, way easier than trying to take a kingpin out and putting in an inverted kingpin and doesn't have any of the issues with inverted kinpgins coming loose, breaking out of the baseplate or whatever other problems people have with them.
Just the cost of a few spare kingpin nuts if you do need to change them out.