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The Benefits of 420 Chrome Stainless Steel Coiled Spring Pins

In applications requiring a combination of high strength, superior fatigue life, and corrosion resistance, 420 martensitic chrome stainless steel offers a host of technical benefits and provides an overall robust cost-effective solution.

Manual Transmission Shift Linkage Shaft/Knuckle

The designers of a shift linkage assembly for a manual transmission required a fastener to pin a shaft in a knuckle. The pin had to allow articulation of shaft and knuckle without introducing clearance between components. Clearance would result in a condition known as ‘lash’, or play in the joint. If present, this condition would be detectable when shifting. The linkage was designed for use in a high performance luxury vehicle and shifting had to be tight and responsive.

The shaft’s ball end was intended to fit within the mating knuckle. A pin would be installed through the knuckle and ball where it would function as an axle allowing rotation of the ball in a single direction. Initial plans called for a retention ring to be installed around the OD of the knuckle to prevent lateral movement, or walking of the pin within the joint. The pin would be subject to high shear load and fatigue due to torsional loading on the bar. A Coiled Spring Pin would be the best solution for use in the customers assembly.
app coiled pin manual transmission linkage
app coiled pin manual transmission linkage close up
heavy duty coiled pin
SPIROL Engineering recommended a Heavy Duty Coiled Pin for use in this application. A Heavy Duty Coiled Pin provides sufficient flexibility to absorb shock and rapid changes in loading yet is rigid enough to limit movement thus providing excellent resistance to fatigue.

Recovery of the pin in the hole provided adequate retention and the retaining ring was eliminated thereby reducing the number of parts and overall cost. Of greatest importance to the customer, ‘lash’ or clearance in the assembly was significantly reduced and this yielded the performance improvement they had been seeking.

Need help finding the right solution?

SPIROL offers complimentary Application Engineering support. We will assist on new designs as well as help resolve issues, and recommend cost savings on existing designs.