King Pin Repair & Replacement

At Harry J. Smith Co., we offer a complete range of king pin replacement, king pin servicing, and king pin repair services.

Every semi-truck or trailer depends on one small piece of equipment for its connection. It’s called the King Pin. This is a pin which connects the trailer to the fifth-wheel. The receiving piece on the truck is a horse-shoe shaped platform attached to the tractor. It’s the pivot point between the two units and because if this it receives a great deal of wear and tear making eventual repair or replacement necessary.

Failure of the king pin means that the steering system will not work properly, and improperly working steering systems can be dangerous. To avoid accidents arising from turning problems make sure your truck’s king pin is regularly checked and serviced. King pins and tie rods can wear out extremely fast if they’re not greased on a regular basis.

How do I know if I have a worn king pin?

Improper lubrication of king pin bushings can cause king pin contact points to start to wear at the steering knuckle. You’ll notice signs of king pin and bushing failure from incorrect vehicle alignment, premature and uneven front tire wear, and rough handling. Experiencing these symptoms while driving may result in a shaking cab or steering wheel. Because of the potential for further damage and operator safety risks, properly diagnosing and repairing worn king pins, bushings and tie rods needs to be addressed promptly.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a king pin and bushing failure, additional inspection must be done to rule out other wheel assembly issues that may cause similar symptoms. An easy way to help determine a worn king pin is to conduct a king pin wear inspection.

Trailer Kingpin Repair And Replacement

Checking the condition of your trailer king pin regularly is important to the safety of your entire rig as well as other drivers on the road. If your king pin is worn out, the stability of your entire trailer is compromised. If your kingpin is so worn out that repair is not an option, you many choose to replace the entire piece. One of our certified mechanics can cut out the old king pin from your trailer and the cross member supports. Then, a new kingpin is installed and professionally welded to your trailer.