Fleet Maintenance - 30

SPOTLIGHT ON UNDER VEHICLE

»Understanding the warning signs that indicate a potential steer axle kingpin
issue will go a long way when it comes time to replace the kingpin itself.
4622933 | Bruce Works | Dreamstime

Lube it or lose it
Proper lubrication
of the steer
axle kingpin is a
crucial aspect
of maintenance,
as it can prolong
the component's
life and ease
future servicing
procedures.

he steer axle kingpin is the pivot point between
the axle beam and the wheel ends. It is also the
point of connection for the spindle knuckle, the
wheel ends, and the steer axle. The role of the steer
axle kingpin is to maintain steering geometry on
the vehicle as it provides the ability for the wheel
ends to turn the vehicle left or right.
Being that the steer axle kingpin is a critical
component, service and maintenance must never
fall behind. Replacing a steer axle kingpin can be a
long and tedious procedure, but preventive maintenance practices can help ease future full-service
jobs as well as prolong the life of the kingpin and
extend the time between replacements. The most
crucial aspect in preventive maintenance regarding the steer axle kingpin is lubrication.

By Tyler Fussner

Beware of the wear

Understanding the warning signs that indicate a
potential steer axle kingpin issue will go a long
way when it comes time to replace the kingpin

30 Fleet Maintenance | May 2020

itself. Should warning signs be ignored, not only
will the replacement procedure become more
difficult, but additional maintenance issues will
need to be dealt with along with additional safety
concerns as they relate to the vehicle's ability
to operate.
The first person to notice a potential steer axle
kingpin issue will most likely be the driver.
"The driver can potentially feel pull or shimmy in the wheel when steering or when going
straight," says Jackie Stockwell, product manager
for aftermarket front steer axle and electrification
at Meritor. "It almost might feel like an alignment
issue, but it could potentially be the kingpin."
Meritor is a global supplier of drivetrain, mobility,
braking, and aftermarket solutions for commercial
vehicle and industrial markets.
"The driver could have a difficult time steering the truck, as without proper lubrication
[the] shims will not allow for easy movement of
the steering," says Scott Donnelly, aftermarket
training manager, senior quality engineer, Dana
Aftermarket. "In critical cases, this lack of grease
can cause the shims to wear away and create catch
points in the steering. These catch points would
make it hard for the driver to input small corrections without first having to overcome the binding
from the damaged components. The driver would
have to jerk the wheel to make even small movements, which could cause a dangerous driving
situation." Dana engineers, manufactures, and
distributes drivetrain and e-Propulsion systems.
Dana Aftermarket brands support the passenger

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