TM 5-3810-300-24 & P2
NOTE
ANY INDICATION OF LOOSENESS IN THE TOTAL STEERING LINKAGE ARRANGEMNT UNDER NORMAL
STEERING LOADS IS SUFFICIENT CAUSE TO IMMEDIATELY CHECK ALL PIVOT POINTS FOR WEAR,
REGARDLESS OF ACCUMULATED MILEAGE. STEERING LINKAGE PIVOT POINTS SHOULD BE CHECKED
EACH TIME THE AXLE ASSEMBLY IS LUBRICATED. IF ANY INDICATION OF LATERAL MOVEMENT IS FOUND,
TIE ROD ENDS SHOULD BE REMOVED FOR INSPECTION. LOOSENESS AT THE STEERING LINKAGE PIVOT
POINTS CAN BE VISUALLY DETECTED DURING MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL IN DRY
PARK POSITION.
Tie Rod End.
A. Check seals visually for any indications of damage. Also check to make sure seal is securely seated on socket.
If tie rod end has a grease fitting, replace damaged seals. Tie rod ends not having greasing provision should be
replaced if seals are damaged or loose.
CAUTION
ROCKWELL-STANDARD DOES NOT RECOMMEND ATTEMPTS TO SALVAGE DAMAGED ENDS
BY REPACKING AND REPLACING THE BOOT SEAL ON NON-GREASABLE ENDS.
B. Check the turning torque value between the tie rod end assembly stud and the ball cavity. If torque value is less
than five (5) inch pounds, the tie rod end assembly should be replaced. This is not to say the end assembly will
fail at this point, but it can no longer provide the type of steering control designed into it once lateral movement
develops between the stud and ball cavity.
REPAIRS.
A. In the interest of safety and preserving the service life of front axle assemblies, Rockwell-Standard recommends
that front axle assemblies NOT be repair welded. Repair welding can detract from the structural integrity of a
component, particularly as to heat treated parts where the benefit of heat treatment may be nullified by the
welding.
Since it can be extremely hazardous and detrimental to repair weld components of any kind, repair welding can
be approved only where stringent controls are imposed and equipment, customarily located only at
manufacturing facilities, is employed, so as to minimize the potentially detrimental effects of repair welding.
In deciding whether to repair or scrap any damaged part, always keep in mind that we as manufacturers, never
hesitate to scrap any part which is in any way doubtful.
B. Straightening of bent parts should be done cold. Various components are heat-treated and hot straightening
would destroy some of the heat treatment.
Axle centers (that are bent no more than 1/2") may be straightened cold; if bent more than 1/2" they should be
replaced.
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