TP-9819 Revised 12-97 TECHNICAL BULLETIN Servicing Meritor TM EASY STEER PLUS TM Series Unitized Truck Hub Unit Assembly Attention Freightliner dealers and direct warranty customers. Please discard this bulletin and refer to recall Bulletin No. FL216A for repair procedures. The purpose of this technical bulletin is to: r Identify Meritor TM EASY STEER PLUS TM series truck hub units which require replacement. r Describe required hub replacement procedures for Easy Steer Plus Non-Driving Front Axles. r Models include series FF-981, FF-982, FF-983, FF-984, FF-986 and FF-987 Non-Driving Front Axles. All truck hub units which require replacement must be returned along with warranty claim number and VIN identification number. Follow the instructions in the hub and stud assembly kit. Use the shipping labels and fill out the warranty claims and VIN number information. Inspecting the Truck Hub Unit to Determine Whether Replacement is Necessary Figure 1 RT78 R40 08 VISIBLE LETTERS AND NUMBERS OK To prevent serious eye injury, always wear safe eye protection when you perform vehicle maintenance or service. 1. Check the inside area of the truck hub unit for raised forging identification letters and numbers located on the front of the hub, in the dish area next to the hub cap. Figure 1. 2. If raised letters and numbers are visible on both hub units of one axle, the truck hub units DO NOT require replacement. Disregard remainder of this Technical Bulletin. 3. If raised letters or numbers are not visible, inspect the inboard side (side toward center of vehicle) mounting flange to determine if hub replacement is still required. Check both hub units on each front axle. Block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving. Support the vehicle with safety stands. Do not work under a vehicle supported only by jacks. Jacks can slip or fall over and cause serious personal injury. 4. Place blocks in front and behind the rear wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving. Set the parking brake. Use a jack to raise the front wheels of the vehicle from the ground and then use safety stands to support the vehicle. 5. Remove the tire-wheel assembly and drum to inspect the inboard side of the truck hub unit. 16579/24240 Revised 12-97 Page 1 Printed in USA Copyright Meritor Automotive, Inc., 1997 TP-9819
6. Check inboard side for either (1) a continuous smooth machined inner surface or (2) an inner surface with forging scallops between each wheel stud. r The presence of a continuous smooth machined inner surface, Figure 2, (inboard side) of the truck hub unit verifies that replacement is not required. r The presence of a scalloped forged surface, Figure 3, between the mounting flange stud heads indicates the truck hub unit will require replacement. Be sure to check both hubs on each side of axle. Figure 3 SCALLOPED FORGED SURFACE Figure 2 CONTINUOUS SMOOTH SURFACE OK OK If one truck hub unit has a scalloped surface on the inboard side of truck hub unit, replace both truck hub units on the axle. 7. If both truck hub units have a continuous smooth surface as illustrated in Figure 2, disregard the remainder of this Technical Bulletin. Page 2 Revised 12-97 16579/24240 TP-9819 Copyright Meritor Automotive, Inc., 1997 Printed in USA
Removing the Truck Hub Unit from the Steering Knuckle When the threaded protective cap is removed or tightened, use a size 3-1/2-inch socket to avoid damaging the unit. 1. Remove the threaded protective cap from the hub by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction. 2. Bend back the outer D lock washer tab away from the flat edge of the outer wheel bearing nut. Figure 4. Figure 4 OUTER D WASHER THREADED PROTECTIVE HUB CAP WHEEL BEARING NUT TRUCK HUB UNIT INNER D WASHER WHEEL BEARING NUT 3. Remove the outer wheel bearing nut and the outer washer from the axle spindle. 4. Use a torque multiplier or 24-inch breaker bar to remove inner wheel bearing nut and inner washer from spindle. 5. Discard removed hub cap, both washers and nuts. Using a 17.5 Ton Cross Block Puller Tool to Remove the Truck Hub Unit from the Spindle Use a brass or leather mallet for removal and disassembly procedures. Do not hit steel parts with a steel hammer. Pieces can break off and cause serious personal injury. 1. Using a brass hammer remove two studs from opposite sides of the truck hub unit to provide access for two Grade 8 bolts used with the cross block puller. 2. Assemble the cross block puller with two 8 x 7/8 Grade 8 bolts onto the face of the truck hub unit assembly. Figure 5. You must follow these notes: r Always use the shortest legs possible for an application to reduce the chance of tool or equipment damage. r Apply force gradually. The part should give a little at a time. Do not try to speed the operation by using an impact wrench on the forcing screw. r If maximum force has been applied, and the part has not moved, use a tool with a larger capacity. Do not hit the part with a hammer in an attempt to jar it loose. Failure to do so will result in damage to components. Figure 5 8" x 7/8" GRADE 8 BOLTS INTO STUD HOLES ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF HUB When removing the truck hub unit from knuckle spindle, take care not to misalign or wedge truck hub unit into the spindle threads to prevent the truck hub unit from becoming jammed or wedged onto the spindle. 6. Remove truck hub unit carefully. Draw hub assembly straight away from spindle. If the truck hub unit is difficult to remove from the spindle continue with the following procedures. FORCING SCREW FORCING NUT BELOW CROSS BLOCK 16579/24240 Revised 12-97 Page 3 Printed in USA Copyright Meritor Automotive, Inc., 1997 TP-9819
3. Tighten the forcing nut and washer against the cross block to apply force to the tool and separate the truck hub unit from the knuckle spindle. Figure 6. Figure 6 8" x 7/8" GRADE 8 BOLT FORCING NUT AND WASHER WASHER CROSS BLOCK NUT AND SLIDING PLATE FORCING SCREW 4. Repeat this procedure to remove the truck hub unit on the opposite side of axle, if required. Reinstalling the Replacement Truck Hub Unit onto the Axle Spindle Four different kits are provided for different truck hub unit replacement. Two kits are required to completely service one axle. KIT CONTENTS Hub and Stud Assembly 12,000 lb GAWR Easy Steer Plus Quantity Long KIT #1445 Short KIT #1446 1 HFFU00TS 20 HFFU00TS 22 Hub Cap 1 A3262-A-1275 A3262-A-1275 Inner Washer 1 1229-L-4640 1229-L-4640 Wheel Nuts 2 1227-M-1521 1227-M-1521 Tabbed Washer 1 1229-G-4713 1229-G-4713 Technical Bulletin Address Label Instruction Spindle End Warning Label 1 TP-9819 TP-9819 1 2297-J-7264 2297-J-7264 13,200 lb GAWR Easy Steer Plus KIT CONTENTS Quantity Long KIT #1447 Short KIT #1448 Hub and Stud Assembly 1 HFFU00TS 24 HFFU00TS 26 Hub Cap 1 A3262-A-1275 A3262-A-1275 Inner Washer 1 1229-L-4640 1229-L-4640 Wheel Nuts 2 1227-M-1521 1227-M-1521 Tabbed Washer 1 1229-G-4713 1229-G-4713 Technical Bulletin Address Label Instruction Spindle End Warning Label 1 TP-9819 TP-9819 1 2297-J-7264 2297-J-7264 Page 4 Revised 12-97 16579/24240 TP-9819 Copyright Meritor Automotive, Inc., 1997 Printed in USA
Figure 7 The inner wheel bearing nut and outer wheel bearing nut torque values are unique to the truck hub unit. Failure to follow the specified torque may result in possible component damage, wheel separation and serious personal injury. The inner wheel bearing nut and the outer wheel bearing nut are identical but torque values are different. 1. Check the knuckle spindle for scratches, nicks or marks. Minor surface damage may be repaired using a crocus or emery cloth. Figure 7. 2. Clean knuckle spindle with a clean dry rag. DO NOT apply any solvent. 3. Lubricate the inside bore of the replacement hub with NLGI 1 or 2 grease and the entire axle spindle. Take care to align unit carefully. Install the new hub unit straight onto spindle. Do not allow the hub unit to misalign and wedge onto spindle threads. Bearing damage could occur. If the truck hub unit does not slide on easily, do not force it on the spindle. The truck hub unit can become jammed on the spindle if care is not taken to align it properly with the spindle. If the truck hub unit becomes jammed on the spindle, carefully remove the truck hub unit from the spindle so as not to disassemble or loosen the inner bearings from the truck hub unit and repeat procedures. Disassembly of the truck hub unit could contaminate the lubricant and will void the manufacturer s warranty. Disassembled hub units cannot be used and require replacement. Check the bore of the truck hub unit for any obstructions and check the spindle for any nicks or burrs. If the knuckle has an ABS sensor avoid damaging the sensor holder when installing the truck hub unit. 4. Carefully align the new truck hub unit bore with the spindle and then slide the hub straight onto the spindle. 5. Install new thick inner washer and the new wheel bearing nut onto the spindle threads. Tighten the inner wheel bearing nut onto spindle 500 to 700 lb-ft (678-949 N m) while rotating the hub in both directions. Figure 8. Figure 8 500 to 700 lb-ft (677-949 N m) 200 to 250 lb-ft (271-339 N m) 200 to 300 lb-ft (271-406 N m) REPLACEMENT KIT TABBED WASHER 6. For ABS equipped axles, check that the original ABS sensor has not moved from the sensor holder. Check the sensor wiring to the chassis wiring. Refer to the sensor manufacturer for sensor adjustments. 16579/24240 Revised 12-97 Page 5 Printed in USA Copyright Meritor Automotive, Inc., 1997 TP-9819
7. Install the new tabbed washer onto the spindle threads. 8. Install the new outer wheel bearing nut onto the spindle threads. Tighten the outer wheel bearing nut from 200 to 300 lb-ft (271-406 N m) torque. 9. Bend tabs of the new outer replacement tabbed washer over the flats of the outer wheel bearing nut and the inner wheel bearing nut. Bend washer tabs onto at least one flat edge to each nut. Use care to ensure that tool used to bend tabs does not slip past tabs and damage the spindle hub threads. 10. Apply the spindle warning label provided in the kit to the spindle end before installing the hub cap. Figure 9. Figure 9 11. Apply a light coating of NLGI 1 or 2 grease to the axle spindle nuts to protect against corrosion. 12. Install the new hub cap from the kit into the hub threads. Tighten from 200 to 250 lb-ft (271-339 N m). 13. Install the brake drum and the tire-wheel assembly. Follow the OEM instructions for torque specifications and tightening sequence. 14. All replaced truck hub units must be returned along with warranty claim and VIN numbers, according to the instructions packaged with replacement kit. Shipping details and labels are also included. For additional information on other techniques to service the truck hub unit call 800-535-5560 or 888-725-9355. Complete Maintenance procedures for the Easy Steer Plus series Non-Drive Front Axles are covered in MM 2A available from Meritor Customer Service at 1-800-535-5560.! Do Not Adjust Bearing Endplay Do Not Service Hub & Bearing System Refer to Rockwell Maint. Manual 2A or Call 800-535-5560 for Service Instructions Failure to Follow Proper Maintenance Procedures Could Result in Vehicle Damage or Serious Personal Injury Wheel Nut Torque: Inner: 500-700 lb-ft Outer: 200-300 lb-ft C-183 Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC 2135 West Maple Road Troy, MI 48084 U.S.A. 800-535-5560 www.meritorauto.com Information contained in this publication was in effect at the time the publication was approved for printing and is subject to change without notice or liability. Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC, reserves the right to revise the information presented or discontinue the production of parts described at any time. Copyright 1997 TP-9819 Meritor Automotive, Inc. Printed in the USA Revised 12/97 All Rights Reserved Please Recycle 16579/24240