Kingpin (automotive part)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses of the term "kingpin", see kingpin (disambiguation).

Ford Model T front suspension, showing the king pin.

Suspension, showing tie rod, steering arm, king pin (axis) ball joints

The kingpin 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. In newer designs, it may not be an actual pin but the axis around which the steered wheels pivot. It is usually made of metal.

There is an urban legend that Henry Ford once commissioned a survey of all scrap yards in America to see what parts on his Model T were holding up best against wear. When the results came back, it was determined that the part which rarely or never broke was the kingpin. He reduced the quality of this to meet all other parts, and thus he conserved money for the company. [1]

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