Chapter 9. REPAIR OF STEERING AXLE

CHAPTER 9

REPAIR OF STEERING AXLE

9-1. Description

hooked into holes of truck side

ahead of counterweight.

Without

a. The steering axle (fig. 2-11) supports the rear of

hoist, raise each side of body by

the truck through two neoprene mounting blocks (37),

placing jacks under edge or side

which fit into recesses on the truck frame. With the

panel just ahead of rear wheels.

exception of the tie rod ends, all moving parts are fitted

with antifriction bearings.

(1) Disconnect drag link from steering bellcrank

b. All wheel alignment specifications are neutral with

(30, fig. 2-11).

the wheels in the straight ahead position. Adjusting the

(2) Remove capscrews (39, fig. 2-11), lock

length of the tie rods adjusts toe-in, as may be

washers (36) and remove support plate (38).

necessary after new parts are installed. Adjusting the

(3) Raise truck to clear axle and roll axle from

length of the drag link (if it is necessary) sets up the

under truck.

relationship between the steering gear and axle, as the

c. Disassembly.

truck will turn equally to right or left.

Note. Do not remove bearing cups (

9-2. Alignment

11, fig. 2-11) from the wheel (171 or

brushings (231 from the axle (11

a. Chalk mark each rear tire tread at hub height.

unless inspection indicates need for

b. With rear wheels pointing straight ahead, measure

replacement.

the distance between the inside of the tires at this point

with a straight edge, or expanding calipers, and note it

(1) Pry hub cap (14) from hub (17). Remove

to within 1/32 inch.

cotter pin (13), nut (12) and washer (15) from steering

c. Roll truck until rear wheels make 1/2 turn (refer to

knuckles (26 and 31).

the chalk marks) and measure the distance between the

(2) Withdraw wheel from spindle using care not to

tires at the chalk marks. It should be the same as the

damage seal (18).

previous reading within 1/16 inch.

(3) Remove four cotter pins and nuts (29) and

d. To adjust the alignment, loosen the clamp screws

remove tie rods (27).

at each end of each tie rod (27, fig. 2-11) (but not the

(4) Remove retaining ring (32) and washer (33)

drag link), enough to permit turning the tie rods in the

from axle. Lift bellcrank (30) from pivot post.

threads of the tie rod ends.

(5) Remove double nuts (24), washers (20) and

e. Tie rods and ends have right hand threads at one

capscrew (19) from king pin (21). Press king pin from

end, left hand threads at the other. Turning the rods

spindle.

with the ends mounted to the axle will shorten or

(6) Remove spindle and thrus washer (22) from

lengthen the tie rod assemblies enough to effect an

axle.

adjustment. Turn each rod an equal amount in the

same direction as needed to get both wheels pointing in

Note. The axle block bore is off

the straight ahead position at the same time.

center for multiple usage. Mark top

side to insure correct reassembly.

9-3. Repair and Replacement

(7) Remove axle blocks (37) from the axle.

a. Repair. Repair of the steering axle is limited to

d. Assembly and Installation. Reverse the removal

replacement of defective parts.

and disassembly steps, then check and adjust wheel

b. Removal.

alignment as given in paragraph 9-2.

Note. When raising truck to remove

axle, do not lift by counterweight, but

instead lift with overhead hoist

9-1