Steer axle in the simulator
Every part of the Steer axle zone, in the order of the inspection, with what to check and what to say to the examiner in English and in your language. Tap a part to see it on the truck.
Parts in this zone
- 1
Power steering (gear) box
What to check: Securely mounted to the frame and not leaking; no missing nuts, bolts or cotter keys.
- 2
Power steering hoses
What to check: Hoses and connections not cracked, worn or leaking (no power steering fluid leaks).
- 3
Pitman arm
What to check: Not worn, cracked or bent; securely mounted with castle nut and cotter pin present.
- 4
Drag link
What to check: Not bent, worn or cracked; ball joints and sockets not worn or loose; nuts and cotter keys present.
- 5
Tie rod (cross tube) and tie-rod ends
What to check: Not bent, worn or cracked; ends and sockets not worn or loose; no missing nuts, bolts or cotter keys.
- 6
Steering arm / knuckle and kingpin
What to check: Steering arm and knuckle not cracked or worn; joints not loose; no missing nuts, bolts or cotter keys.
- 7
Steer axle leaf springs
What to check: No missing, shifted, cracked or broken leaves.
- 8
Spring hangers / mounts (front and rear of spring)
What to check: Hangers and mounts not cracked or broken; bushings not missing or damaged; no broken, loose or missing bolts.
- 9
U-bolts
What to check: Not broken, missing or loose.
- 10
Shock absorber
What to check: Securely mounted, not damaged, not leaking; bushings not worn.
- 11
Vehicle stance (level check)
What to check: Vehicle is sitting level front to rear and side to side; a lean may indicate a suspension problem.
- 12
Brake air hose / line to chamber
What to check: Hose supplies air to the brake chamber; not cracked, worn, frayed or leaking; couplings and fittings secure at both ends; listen for air leaks.
- 13
Brake chamber
What to check: Not leaking, cracked or dented; mounted securely.
- 14
Slack adjuster
What to check: No broken, loose or missing parts; pushrod and slack adjuster form about a 90-degree angle when the brakes are applied.
- 15
Brake chamber pushrod
What to check: With the brakes released, pull the pushrod by hand; it should not move more than one inch (manual slack adjusters).
- 16
Brake drum
What to check: No cracks, dents or holes; no loose or missing bolts; no contaminants such as oil or grease; no bluing from heat.
- 17
Brake lining / shoes (visible through drum openings)
What to check: Visible lining not worn dangerously thin (schools teach at least 1/4 inch); no cracks, glazing or oil/grease contamination.
- 18
Steer tire
What to check: Minimum tread depth 4/32 inch in every major groove (tread depth gauge); evenly worn; no cuts, bulges or exposed plies on tread or sidewall; no recaps on steer tires; inflation checked with a tire gauge (kicking or mallet gets no credit).
- 19
Valve stem and cap
What to check: Valve stem not damaged or broken, accessible, cap present (metal cap).
- 20
Steer wheel rim
What to check: Not damaged, cracked or bent; no welding repairs; bolt holes not elongated; no rust trails indicating a loose wedge rim.
- 21
Lug nuts and studs
What to check: All lug nuts present and not loose (no rust trails or shiny threads); no bent, broken or missing studs; no cracks or distortion.
- 22
Hub oil seal / hubcap sight glass
What to check: Hub oil/grease seal and axle seal not leaking; if the hub has a sight glass, oil level is adequate.