Kingpin (automotive Part)

Kingpin (automotive Part)

The kingpin, also king-pin and king pin, is the main pivot in the steering mechanism of a car or other vehicle.

Originally this was literally a steel pin on which the moveable, steerable wheel was mounted to the suspension. Free to rotate on a single axis, it limited the degrees of freedom of motion of the rest of the front suspension. King pins were replaced, starting in the 1950s, by ball joints which were needed due to more complicated suspension designs.

Although they are largely obsolete, kingpin suspensions have the advantage of being able to carry much heavier weights, which is why they are still featured on some heavy trucks.

Dana produced the king pin version of the D60 axle until 1991 .

The nipple at the front of a semi-trailer to connect to a fifth wheel coupling is also known as a kingpin.

Read more about Kingpin (automotive Part):  Kingpin Inclination