STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Identify causes of 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.

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

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

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

 5. Inspect, service, or replace power steering reservoir (including filter, seals, and gaskets), power steering system cooler, lines, hoses,

    clamps/mountings, hose routings, and fittings.

 6. Inspect, adjust, repair, or replace power steering pump, mountings, steering pump drive gear (including integral type power steering gears

    (single and/or dual)), couplings, mounts, and brackets: replace as needed.

 7. Identify causes of vehicle wandering, pulling, shimmy, hard steering, and off-center steering wheel problems; adjust or repair as needed.

 8. Check camber; caster, and toe determine needed action, adjust as needed.

 9. Check front axle alignment (centerline) and rear axle(s) alignment (thrustline /centerline) and tracking; adjust or repair as needed.

 10. Identify turning/Ackerman angle (toe-out-on-turns) problems; determine needed action.

 11. Identify tire wear patterns, check tread depth and pressure determine needed action.

 12. Identify wheel/tire vibration, shimmy, pounding, hop (tramp) problems; determine needed action.

 13. Remove and install steering and drive axle wheel/tire assemblies.

 14. Inspect tire, wheel/rims for proper application, (size, load range, position, and design); determine needed action.

 15. Check operation of tire pressure monitoring system; determine needed action.

 16. Inspect, service, and/or adjust fifth wheel, pivot pins, bushings, locking mechanisms, and mounting hardware.

 17. Inspect and service sliding fifth wheel, tracks, stops, locking systems, air cylinders, springs, lines, hoses, and controls.

 18. Inspect frame and frame members for cracks, breaks, corrosion, distortion, elongated holes, looseness, and damage; determine needed repairs.

 19. Inspect, install, or repair frame hangers, brackets, and cross members in accordance with manufacturers, recommended procedures.

 20. Inspect, repair, or replace pintle hooks and draw bars.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Steering and Alignments

         A.      Axle Alignment (Front and Rear)

         B.      Electronic Alignment Systems

         C.      Steering Axle Inspection

         D.      Manual Steering Gears

         E.      Power Assist Steering

         F.      Air Assist Steering

         G.      Electronic and Load Sensing Steering

 II.     Chassis and Frame

         A.      Frame Construction

         B.      Frame Damage

         C.      Frame Alignment

         D.      Repair Frame, Side Rails and Cross Members