SECTION 14: STEERING
DOB 2490-2789 | X3-45 Commuter PA1605 Maintenance Manual (Section 14 revised April 2018)
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14. TROUBLESHOOTING
CONDITION
CAUSE
CORRECTION
Tires wear out
quickly or have
uneven tire tread
wear.
1. Tires have incorrect air pressure.
2. Tires out-of-balance.
3. Incorrect tag axle alignment.
4. Incorrect toe-in setting.
5. Incorrect steering arm geometry.
1. Put specified air pressure in tires.
2. Balance or replace tires.
3. Align tag axle.
4. Adjust toe-in specified setting.
5. Service steering system as necessary.
Vehicle is hard to
steer.
1. Low pressure in the power steering
system.
2. Steering gear not assembled
correctly.
3. Steering linkage needs lubrication.
4. Kingpins binding.
5. Incorrect steering arm geometry.
6. Caster improperly adjusted.
7. Tie rod ends hard to move.
8. Worn thrust bearing.
1. Repair power steering system.
2. Assemble steering gear correctly.
3. Lubricate steering linkage.
4. Replace kingpins.
5. Service steering system as necessary.
6. Adjust caster as necessary.
7. Replace tie rod ends.
8. Replace thrust bearing.
Bent or broken
steering arm,
steering top lever or
tie rod assembly.
1. Too much pressure in the power
steering system.
2. Cut-off pressure of the power
steering system improperly adjusted.
3. Vehicle not powered on correctly.
4. Power steering system not installed
correctly.
1. Replace damaged part(s), adjust power
steering system to specified pressure.
2. Make sure vehicle is powered on
correctly.
3. Correctly install the power steering
system.
4. Correctly install the power steering
system.
Worn or broken
steering ball pin.
1. Drag link fasteners tightened past
specified torque.
2. Lack of lubrication or incorrect
lubricant.
3. Power steering stops improperly
adjusted.
1. Replace damaged part(s), tighten drag
link fasteners to specified torque.
2. Lubricate linkage with specified
lubricant.
3. Adjust stops to specified dimension.
Worn kingpins and
knuckle bushings.
1. Worn or missing seals and gaskets.
2. Incorrect lubricant.
3. Axle not lubricated at scheduled
frequency.
4. Incorrect lubrication procedures.
5. Lubrication schedule does not match
operating conditions.
1. Replace damaged part(s), replace seals
and gaskets.
2. Lubricate axle with specified lubricant.
3. Lubricate axle at scheduled frequency.
4. Use correct lubrication schedule to
match operating conditions.
5. Change lubrication schedule to match
operating conditions.
Vibration or shimmy
of front axle during
operation.
1. Caster not adjusted properly.
2. Wheels and/or tires out-of balance.
3. Worn steering stabilizer cylinder.
1. Adjust caster.
2. Balance or replace wheels and/or tires.
3. Replace steering stabilizer cylinder.
