The kingpin is the central pivot between your truck’s steering knuckle and axle beam, allowing smooth, stable front-wheel movement. Common in heavy-duty trucks, kingpins take a beating from constant steering input, rough roads, and extreme weight. Over time, this causes bushing wear, alignment issues, and loose steering—if left unchecked, it can lead to control loss. Axle Spindle offers expert kingpin repair, including precision boring, bushing installation, and resurfacing to restore OEM tolerances. Whether you operate Meritor, Dana Spicer, or other major axles, we’ll bring your steering performance back to spec—fast, reliable, and road-ready.
Kingpin Repair Services: Replacement and Resurfacing
When your truck’s kingpin shows signs of wear or damage, full replacement is often the safest route—especially for high-load applications or Meritor-style assemblies. The process involves removing the old pin and bushings, cleaning the knuckle, and installing new components from trusted kingpin kits. This restores factory tolerances and corrects steering geometry, ensuring long-term reliability. While kingpin replacement may carry a higher upfront cost than minor repairs, it’s a smart investment in safety and performance.
In cases where the knuckle bore is worn but still serviceable, heavy-duty kingpin boring and resurfacing is a cost-effective alternative. Our technicians precision-machine the knuckle to accept oversized bushings, restoring the proper press-fit between the pin and bushings. It’s a proven solution for older vehicles or hard-to-source components, and it extends axle life, improves handling, and reduces future downtime.
King Pin Wear and Its Causes
King pin wear doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a result of regular use, rough roads, and missed maintenance. Here are some common causes:
Poor Lubrication
When grease breaks down or isn’t applied regularly, metal-on-metal contact wears the kingpin and bushings faster.
Heavy Hauling
Constant high axle loads puts extra stress on the king pin and bushings.
Contamination
Dirt, water and road salt gets into the steering system and corrodes components.
Bad Bushing Installation
If bushings aren’t aligned or pressed in properly, they wear unevenly and shorten kingpin lifespan.
Suspension Misalignment
A sagging suspension puts uneven stress on the king pin and accelerates wear.
Left unchecked, these issues lead to steering instability, handling problems, and potentially dangerous failure. Early inspections and preventative maintenance can catch early signs and reduce the need for major king pin repair down the line.
Kingpin Maintenance Tips
Preventing kingpin damage starts with good maintenance. Here are some tips to extend life and reduce repairs:
Grease Regularly
Grease the kingpin and bushings according to your truck’s schedule. Lack of grease is the number one cause of premature wear.
Check During Tire Service
When rotating tires or checking alignment, check for steering looseness or play in the kingpin area.
Use High-Quality Parts
Cheap bushings wear out fast. Use premium heavy-duty king pin bushings and OEM rated parts.
Inspect Seals and Boots
Damaged seals let water and debris in the system and cause internal rust and abrasion.
Watch for Warning Signs
Popping noises, uneven tire wear and delayed steering response are all signs of kingpin wear.
Regular truck suspension maintenance will help you catch issues before they become major. Greasing fittings, checking for movement and monitoring component alignment are easy ways to protect your kingpin truck system. If in doubt, schedule a checkup to see if resurfacing or full king pin replacement is needed.
