Knuckle Help

[Cruiserlab]

Hey guys, I'm working on a 1972 FJ55 and am in the middle of a knuckle rebuild. I've got it all apart, axle seal replaced, etc, but now the kingpins won't go back into the knuckle. What gives?

I'm afraid to wack too hard with a hammer. The studs seem maybe the slightest bit out of alignment, but maybe by only a little. The hole in the knuckle may be a little out of round? I'm out of ideas and help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cruiserlab]

Really hard to capture on camera, but the blue areas seem slightly deformed. I removed the studs and reinstalled them with red loc tite. Torqued to 45 lb-ft (as much as I felt comfortable with), maybe that was too much?

 

[pb4ugo]

How easy does the bearing caps fit without the bearings installed? How do the races fit in the hole?