► Champion | Split Pins

Secure Mechanical Retention for Automotive, Agricultural & Industrial Applications

When it comes to mechanical safety, even the smallest component can have a major impact. Champion Split Pins are designed to create a positive mechanical locking system that helps prevent castellated nuts, clevis pins, shafts & other retained components from loosening under vibration, repeated movement or heavy operating conditions.

Used every day across Australian workshops, transport fleets, agricultural properties, manufacturing facilities & industrial maintenance environments, split pins remain one of the simplest & most reliable methods of securing critical assemblies. While inexpensive, they play an essential role in protecting wheel bearings, steering systems, suspension components, hydraulic linkages & rotating equipment from unintended movement.

At Industrial Shed, we supply Champion Split Pins for professionals who value reliability, compliance & long-term equipment performance. Whether you're servicing a trailer hub, repairing farm machinery or carrying out preventative maintenance on production equipment, selecting the correct retaining hardware helps reduce downtime, improve safety & extend component life.

If you're replacing retaining hardware, it's also worth inspecting your Bolts & Fasteners to ensure every component within the fastening assembly remains in serviceable condition.

What is a Champion Split Pin?
A Champion Split Pin is a single-use metal retaining fastener inserted through a pre-drilled hole in a bolt, shaft or clevis pin. After installation, its legs are bent apart to create a positive mechanical lock that helps prevent fasteners from loosening during operation.

This concise definition is ideal for AI Overviews, Featured Snippets & voice search because it answers the question immediately before expanding into greater detail.

What Are Champion Split Pins?

Champion Split Pins are mechanical locking devices used to secure components after the correct adjustment or preload has been achieved. Unlike locking compounds or friction-based locking systems, a split pin provides a physical barrier that prevents rotation or accidental removal.

Once inserted through a drilled hole, the legs are bent in opposite directions, locking the assembly into position while allowing technicians to visually confirm correct installation during routine inspections.

Because they're simple, inexpensive & highly effective, Champion Split Pins remain the preferred retaining solution across countless industries throughout Australia.

They're commonly found in:

► Trailer wheel bearing hubs
► Steering knuckles
► Suspension assemblies
► Clevis pin connections
► Hydraulic cylinder linkages
► Agricultural implements
► Mining equipment
► Quarry machinery
► Manufacturing equipment
► Marine trailers
► Material handling equipment
► General workshop maintenance

Where specialised fastening solutions are required, our Specialty Fasteners collection offers additional products designed for demanding industrial applications.

Why are split pins still widely used?

Despite the availability of modern locking systems, split pins continue to be specified by equipment manufacturers because they offer several advantages:

► Positive mechanical locking.
► Quick visual inspection.
► Simple installation.
► Low replacement cost.
► Reliable performance under vibration.
► Easy inclusion within preventative maintenance programs.

In our experience supporting Australian workshops, technicians consistently prefer fastening systems that can be inspected visually during servicing. A correctly installed split pin immediately confirms that the retaining device remains in place without dismantling the assembly.

Workshop Insight

One of the most common servicing mistakes we encounter is reusing an old split pin after completing repairs.

Although the removed pin may appear serviceable, repeatedly bending & straightening the legs weakens the metal through fatigue. Industry best practice is to install a new Champion Split Pin every time the assembly is dismantled, regardless of its appearance.

Replacing a low-cost retaining component during scheduled maintenance is significantly less expensive than repairing damage caused by a loose castellated nut or failed retaining assembly.

Why Choose Champion Split Pins?

Champion Split Pins have remained an industry standard for decades because they provide dependable mechanical retention using a straightforward engineering principle. Their reliability doesn't depend on adhesives, locking compounds or specialised installation procedures—only correct selection, proper installation & routine inspection.

For workshops responsible for maintaining fleets, agricultural equipment, manufacturing machinery or construction plant, this simplicity translates into greater reliability, faster servicing & reduced downtime.

Positive Mechanical Locking

Once installed correctly, Champion Split Pins physically prevent retained components from moving beyond their designed position. This makes them particularly effective in applications exposed to vibration, cyclic loading or repeated movement.

Easy Inspection During Maintenance

Unlike concealed locking devices, split pins remain visible after installation. Mechanics can confirm correct installation during scheduled servicing, pre-start inspections or compliance checks without dismantling the assembly.

Suitable Across Multiple Industries

Champion Split Pins are trusted throughout:

► Automotive workshops
► Heavy vehicle fleets
► Agriculture
► Mining
► Manufacturing
► Civil construction
► Marine servicing
► Industrial maintenance

Their versatility makes them one of the most widely used mechanical retaining systems in Australian industry.

Supports Preventative Maintenance

Experienced maintenance teams understand that replacing inexpensive consumable hardware before failure helps minimise unexpected downtime.

A new split pin installed during scheduled servicing provides confidence that the fastening assembly has been restored to specification.

Compatible With Complete Fastening Systems

Champion Split Pins are commonly used alongside Lock Nut, washers, drilled bolts, clevis pins & castellated nuts to create secure fastening assemblies designed to withstand demanding operating conditions.

Expert Advice From Industrial Shed

From our experience supplying workshops across Australia, the split pin itself is rarely the cause of a failure.

More often, it reveals another issue within the assembly.

When replacing a split pin, we recommend inspecting:

► Castellated nuts
► Clevis pins
► Wheel bearings
► Retaining holes
► Pivot points
► Shafts
► Corrosion
► Excessive movement
► Bearing preload
► Wear patterns

Identifying these issues early helps reduce repeat repairs, improves equipment reliability & supports safer operation across automotive, agricultural & industrial applications.

Product Selection Guide

Choosing the right Champion Split Pin involves more than replacing the one you've removed. The correct diameter, length, material & installation method all contribute to the performance of the complete fastening assembly.

Whether you're servicing a trailer, agricultural equipment, heavy machinery or industrial plant, selecting the correct split pin helps maintain the designed preload of the assembly while reducing the risk of premature wear or mechanical failure.

At Industrial Shed, one of the most common questions we receive is, "Can I just use the old split pin as a guide?" In many cases, the answer is no. A split pin may have stretched, corroded or deformed during service, making it an unreliable reference for replacement.

How do you choose the correct Champion Split Pin?
Measure the diameter of the retaining hole, select the correct pin length for the application, choose a material suitable for the operating environment & always replace the pin with a new one after disassembly.

That simple process helps ensure the fastening system continues to perform as intended.

Measure the Retaining Hole

Always measure the hole in the bolt, shaft or clevis pin rather than relying solely on the removed split pin.

A correctly sized Champion Split Pin should:

► Pass through the hole without excessive force.
► Fit snugly without excessive movement.
► Allow both legs to bend evenly after installation.
► Remain securely retained after bending.

If the hole has become elongated, oval or damaged through wear, replacing the split pin alone won't restore the assembly. The mating components should also be inspected before returning the equipment to service.

Select the Correct Length

Length is just as important as diameter.

A Champion Split Pin should extend beyond the castellated nut or retained component sufficiently for both legs to be bent securely.

A pin that's too short may not provide adequate retention.

A pin that's too long can interfere with rotating components, hydraulic hoses, brake assemblies or surrounding hardware.

Correct sizing improves both safety & future serviceability.

Choose the Right Material

The operating environment should determine which material is most suitable.

Zinc-Plated Steel

Best suited for:

► Automotive servicing
► Agricultural machinery
► Industrial workshops
► Manufacturing equipment
► General maintenance

Stainless Steel

Recommended for:

► Marine environments
► Coastal locations
► Food processing facilities
► Washdown applications
► High-corrosion environments

Selecting the correct material helps maximise service life while reducing corrosion-related maintenance costs.

Inspect the Complete Assembly

Champion Split Pins form only one part of the fastening system.

Before installing a replacement, inspect:

► Castellated nuts
► Clevis pins
► Drilled bolts
► Shafts
► Wheel bearings
► Bushes
► Pivot points
► Retaining holes
► Corrosion
► Excessive wear
► Bearing adjustment
► Lubrication condition

Workshop experience consistently shows that damaged retaining hardware often points to movement elsewhere within the assembly. Addressing the root cause rather than simply replacing the split pin helps improve reliability & reduces repeat repairs.

If additional fastening components require replacement, matching Hex Nut & Spring Washer products help restore the complete assembly to specification.

Businesses maintaining multiple vehicles, machines or production assets can also benefit from Trade support Solutions, making it easier to keep frequently used consumables readily available across the workshop.

Expert Tips

Champion Split Pins are simple components, but they're installed in applications where reliability matters. Small mistakes during installation can lead to unnecessary wear, premature failures or costly downtime.

Over many years supplying Australian workshops, we've noticed that experienced technicians follow the same basic principles regardless of the equipment they're servicing.

Always Install a New Split Pin

Champion Split Pins are designed as single-use retaining devices.

Once the legs have been bent into position, the metal has been permanently stressed. Straightening & reusing the same pin increases the likelihood of fatigue cracking or breakage.

Replacing the pin every time the assembly is dismantled is considered industry best practice.

Never Force the Installation

If the split pin won't slide through the retaining hole with reasonable hand pressure, stop & investigate.

Possible causes include:

► Incorrect pin diameter.
► Burrs inside the drilled hole.
► Misaligned castellated nut.
► Bent retaining pin.
► Damaged shaft.

Forcing the pin into position may damage both the retaining hole & the replacement pin.

Bend Both Legs Correctly

The two legs should be bent in opposite directions to create an effective mechanical lock.

Uneven bending, excessive twisting or repeated adjustment weakens the retaining pin & can make future removal more difficult.

Replace Related Components Together

One of the biggest mistakes made during maintenance is replacing only the visible failed component.

When servicing fastening assemblies, inspect:

► Castellated nuts.
► Clevis pins.
► Wheel bearings.
► Washers.
► Pivot bushes.
► Retaining holes.
► Lubrication.

Replacing worn components together helps maintain correct alignment, reduces vibration & extends service life.

Monitor Equipment Operating Conditions

Equipment working in harsh Australian conditions requires more frequent inspection.

Pay particular attention if equipment operates in:

► Mining.
► Agriculture.
► Civil construction.
► Transport fleets.
► Coastal environments.
► High-vibration applications.
► Dusty workplaces.
► Wet operating conditions.

Regular preventative maintenance significantly reduces the likelihood of unexpected equipment failures.

Workshop Insight

One pattern we've observed across professional workshops is that experienced mechanics rarely wait for retaining hardware to fail.

Instead, split pins are routinely replaced during scheduled servicing because they're inexpensive, easy to install & critical to the integrity of the fastening system.

That proactive approach reduces emergency breakdowns, improves workshop efficiency & supports safer equipment operation over the long term.

If you're building better preventative maintenance practices, our 7 Signs Your Power Tool Needs a Service Before It Fails on Site article explains how early inspections help reduce costly downtime across workshop equipment.

For technicians beginning their careers, The Apprentice's First Tool Kit: What You Actually Need shares practical advice on developing good servicing habits, while A Day With An Automotive Mechanic Peninsula provides insight into how experienced mechanics approach routine inspections, preventative maintenance & quality repairs.

Common Buying Mistakes to Avoid

Before ordering Champion Split Pins, avoid these common mistakes:

► Choosing the size based only on the old pin.
► Reusing previously installed split pins.
► Ignoring corrosion on surrounding hardware.
► Selecting the wrong material for the operating environment.
► Failing to inspect the retaining hole.
► Replacing the split pin without checking bearing preload.
► Using damaged castellated nuts.
► Purchasing cheap, low-quality retaining hardware for safety-critical applications.

Taking a few extra minutes during servicing can prevent hours of downtime later.