Use of Steel Bright Bars in King Pin Manufacturing
A king pin is a critical steering component used in trucks, buses,
tractors and heavy-duty vehicles. It connects the steering knuckle to the axle beam
and acts as the pivot point for wheel movement.
To manufacture king pins, steel bright bars are widely used as raw material
because they offer high strength, tight dimensional tolerance and excellent surface finish.
These properties are essential for steering safety and long service life.
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Applications of King Pins
- Heavy commercial trucks
- Buses and passenger transport vehicles
- Tractors and agricultural machinery
- Construction and mining equipment
- Off-road utility vehicles
Why Bright Bars Are Used to Manufacture King Pins
- High load-bearing capacity
- Excellent wear resistance at bush contact areas
- Accurate diameter control for proper fitment
- Good machinability for grooves and lubrication holes
- Uniform mechanical properties along length
King Pin – Typical Geometry & Machined Features
King pins typically have lubrication grooves, cross-drilled holes and precision
bearing surfaces to work with bronze or polymer bushes.
Surface hardness and finish directly affect service life.
King Pin Manufacturing Process Using Bright Bars
- Cutting bright bars to required length
- CNC turning to achieve exact diameter
- Drilling grease holes
- Machining lubrication grooves
- Induction hardening of wear zones
- Final grinding for tolerance control
Steel Grades Commonly Used for King Pins
| Vehicle Type | Steel Grade | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Medium-duty vehicles | EN8, C45 | Good strength and machinability |
| Heavy trucks & tractors | EN19 | Higher tensile and fatigue strength |
| Extreme load applications | 42CrMo4 | Superior toughness |
Common King Pin Failures (Due to Poor Material)
- Excessive wear due to low hardness
- Bending due to poor core strength
- Premature failure from improper heat treatment
- Ovality due to poor dimensional control
Using high-quality bright bars with proper heat treatment
reduces these failures significantly.
Related Automotive Components
-
Stub Axle
- Steering Knuckle
- Axle Pin
Why Steelmet Industries?
- Precision bright bars for steering components
- Supply of EN8, EN19 and alloy steels
- VD route steels for safety-critical parts
- NABL-certified testing support
- Complete traceability
FAQs
What material is used for king pins?
EN8 and EN19 steels are commonly used depending on vehicle load.
Why are bright bars preferred?
They offer tight tolerance, straightness and good machinability.
Are king pins heat treated?
Yes, induction hardening improves wear resistance.
Can VD route steel be used?
Yes, for premium and export-grade applications.
Contact for Enquiries
For sourcing bright bars for king pin manufacturing: