A steerable front axle beam assembly

摘要

A front axle beam assembly (10) is provided comprising a center beam portion (12) having opposing first connections. Knuckles (16) having second connections are secured to the first connections of the beam preferably by threaded fasteners (30). A spindle (18) is pivotally supported on each knuckle by kingpins (20). The center portion of the axle may be constructed from a material different than that of the knuckles. Moreover, the knuckles may be formed by a different process than that of the center axle portion. For example, the center portion may be constructed from an aluminum casting while the knuckles may be constructed from a steel forging. Preferably, the center axle portion and knuckles include complimentary interlocking portions (24,26) that locate the knuckles relative to the center axle portion during assembly. The knuckles and center axle portions are secured at the joint that defines a desired angle selected to minimize stresses at a joint and provide ease of assembly.