SUSPENSION AND STEERING

For every task in Suspension and Steering, the following safety task must be strictly enforced:

Comply with personal and environmental safety practices associated with clothing; eye protection; hand tools; power equipment; proper ventilation; and the handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals/materials in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

The first task in Suspension and Steering is to listen to and verify the operator's concern, review past maintenance and repair documents, and determine necessary action.

V. SUSPENSION AND STEERING

A. Steering Systems Diagnosis and Repair

1. Steering Column

1. Diagnose fixed and driver adjustable steering column and shaft noise, looseness, and binding problems; determine needed action. P-1

2. Inspect steering shaft U-joint(s), slip joints, bearings, bushings, and seals; phase shaft U-joints; determine needed action. P-2

3. Check and adjust cab mounting and ride height. P-3

4. Center the steering wheel. P-1

5. Disable and enable supplemental restraint system (SRS) in accordance with manufacturer's procedures. P-1

2. Steering Units

1. Diagnose power steering system noise, steering binding, darting/oversteer, reduced wheel cut, steering wheel kick, pulling, non-recovery, turning effort, looseness, hard steering, overheating, fluid leakage, and fluid aeration problems; determine needed action. P-1

2. Determine recommended type of power steering fluid; check level and condition; determine needed action. P-1

3. Flush and refill power steering system; purge air from system. P-2

4. Perform power steering system pressure, temperature, and flow tests; determine needed action. P-2

5. Inspect, service, or replace power steering reservoir including filter, seals, and gaskets. P-2

6. Inspect, adjust, align, or replace power steering pump belt(s) and pulley(s). P-1

7. Inspect, replace as required, power steering pump drive gear and coupling. P-3

8. Inspect, adjust, or replace power steering pump, mountings, and brackets. P-3

9. Inspect and replace power steering system cooler, lines, hoses, clamps/mountings, hose routings, and fittings. P-3

10. Inspect, adjust, or replace linkage-assist type power steering cylinder or gear (dual system). P-3

11. Inspect, adjust, repair, or replace integral type power steering gear. P-1

12. Adjust manual and automatic steering gear poppet/relief valves. P-2

3. Steering Linkage

1. Inspect and align pitman arm; replace as needed. P-1

2. Inspect drag link (relay rod) and tie rod ends (ball and adjustable socket type); adjust or replace as needed. P-1

3. Inspect steering arm and levers, and linkage pivot joints; replace as needed. P-1

4. Inspect clamps and retainers on cross tube/relay rod/centerlink/tie rod; position or replace as needed. P-1

5. Check and adjust wheel stops. P-1

6. Inspect idler arm, bearings and bushings; replace as needed. P-1

7. Lubricate steering linkage joints as needed. P-1

V. SUSPENSION & STEERING

B. Suspension Systems Diagnosis and Repair

1. Inspect front axles, U-bolts, and nuts; determine needed action. P-1

2. Inspect and service king pin, steering knuckle bushings, locks, bearings, seals, and covers; determine needed action. P-1

3. Inspect shock absorbers, bushings, brackets, and mounts; replace as needed. P-1

4. Inspect leaf springs, center bolts, clips, eye bolts and bushings, shackles, slippers, insulators, brackets, and mounts; determine needed action. P-1

5. Inspect torque arms, bushings, and mounts; determine needed action. P-1

6. Inspect axle aligning devices such as radius rods, track bars, stabilizer bars, and related bushings, mounts, shims, and cams; determine needed action. P-1

7. Inspect walking beams, center (cross) tube, bushings, mounts, load pads, and saddles/caps; replace as needed. P-3

8. Inspect and test air suspension pressure regulator and height control valves, lines, hoses, dump valves, and fittings; adjust, repair or replace as needed. P-1

9. Inspect and test air springs, mounting plates, springs, suspension arms, and bushings; replace as needed. P-1

10. Measure vehicle frame angle (ride height); determine needed action. P-1

11. Diagnose rough ride problems; determine needed action. P-3

V. SUSPENSION & STEERING

C. Wheel Alignment Diagnosis, Adjustment, and Repair

1. Diagnose vehicle wandering, pulling, shimmy, and hard steering problem(s); adjust and repair as needed. P-3

2. Check camber and KPI/SAI (king pin inclination/steering axis inclination); determine needed action. P-2

3. Check caster; adjust as needed. P-2

4. Check toe; adjust as needed. P-1

5. Check rear axle(s) alignment (thrustline/centerline) and tracking; adjust or repair as needed. P-2

6. Diagnose turning/Ackerman angle (toe-out-on-turns) problems; determine needed action. P-3

7. Check front axle alignment (centerline); adjust or repair as needed. P-2

V. SUSPENSION & STEERING

D. Wheels and Tires Diagnosis and Repair

1. Diagnose unusual tire wear patterns, check tread depth, mismatched tread design; determine needed action. P-1

2. Diagnose wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, pounding, hop (tramp) problems; determine needed action. P-3

V. SUSPENSION & STEERING

E. Frame Service and Repair P-1

1. Inspect and adjust fifth wheel, pivot pins, bushings, locking jaw mechanisms, and mounting bolts; determine needed action. P-1

2. Inspect sliding fifth wheel, tracks, stops, locking systems, air cylinders, springs, lines, hoses, and controls. P-1

3. Inspect frame and frame members for cracks, breaks, distortion, elongated holes, looseness, and damage; determine needed repairs. P-1

4. Inspect, install, or repair frame hangers, brackets, and crossmembers in accordance with manufacturer's recommended procedures. P-3

5. Inspect, install, repair or replace pintle hooks and draw bars. P-1