SB-10057466-8804
TP-1554
Issued 02-15

Checking the Tie Rod End Castle Nut
Torque on Meritor Bus and Coach
Non-Drive Steer and Tag Axles

Technical Bulletin
Hazard Alert Messages
1Issued
TP-1554
Technical
02- Bulletin
15

Read and observe all Warning and Caution hazard alert messages in
this publication. They provide information that can help prevent
serious personal injury, damage to components, or both.

WARNING
To prevent serious eye injury, always wear safe eye protection
when you perform vehicle maintenance or service.
Park the vehicle on a level surface. 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 and fall over. Serious personal injury and
damage to components can result.

Tie Rod End Castle Nut Torque Check
This technical bulletin provides instructions to check the torque and,
if required, tighten the tie rod end castle nuts on MFS12155ANL16,
FH946KX5, FH946KX41 and FH946KX52 models produced from
7-19-2014 through 12-5-2014. Instructions are also provided to
inspect and replace the tie rod arms and tie rod ends, if required.
Figure 1.

MFS12155ANL16, FH946KX5, FH946KX41 and
FH946KX52 Models Produced from 7-19-2014
through 12-5-2014

How to Obtain Additional Maintenance,
Service and Product Information
Refer to Maintenance Manual 23, Bus and Coach Front and Tag
Axles. To obtain this publication, visit Literature on Demand at
Meritor.com.

How to Obtain Parts
The tie rod end cotter pin used in this procedure may be obtained
locally or ordered from Meritor’s Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket in
Florence, Kentucky by calling 888-725-9355; or in Brampton,
Ontario, Canada by calling 905-454-7070.

Parts Required for Torque Check
앫 Cotter pin, 1/8″ x 1.5″, part number K-2412 (quantity 1),
2 cotter pins are required per axle

Tools Required
앫 Torque wrench, click or sweep face
앫 7/8″ deep-well socket for castle nut
앫 5/8″, 3/4″ and 1-1/8″ sockets
앫 Set of box-end wrenches

Figure 1

MODEL AND
SPECIFICATION
NUMBER

CUSTOMER
NUMBER

앫 Lineman’s pliers or diagonals to pry or cut cotter pins

Contact the Meritor OnTrac™
Customer Call Center for Additional
Assistance

MODEL MFS-12-143A-N
CUSTOMER NO 01X21A62
ASSY PLANT & SERIAL NO AVF 9521109
DATE 01327

AXLE
ASSEMBLY
DATE

TAG
EXAMPLE

AXLE ASSEMBLY
PLANT AND
SERIAL NUMBER
4011788a

Figure 1

NOTE: The date is in a Julian date format. Example: 01327 =
327th day of 2001 or 11-23-2001.

If you have any questions about the instructions in this technical
bulletin or would like further assistance, contact the Meritor
OnTrac™ Customer Call Center at 866-Ontrac1 (668-7221). Refer
to Program: C15AB.

Standard Repair Time (SRT)
The standard repair time is 0.2 hours per side per axle for checking
the torque and, if required, tightening of the tie rod end castle nut(s).
Additional times are as follows.
앫 0.2 hours per side for inspection of tie rod stud and tie rod arm
bore, if required

Item

Description

Size

1

Tie Rod Arm Nut

1.250’’-12

775-1450
(1051-1965)

2

Tie Rod End Nut

0.875’’-14

160-300 (217-407)

3

Tie Rod Clamp
Lock Nut

0.750’’-10

155-175 (210-237)

앫 0.3 hours replacement of each tie rod end, if required
앫 0.4 hours replacement of each tie rod arm, if required

Check the Torque on Tie Rod End
Castle Nuts

5.

Place a calibrated torque wrench on the tie rod end castle nut.

6.

As a verification check to ensure the castle nuts are not hand
loose or below 25 lb-ft (34 N폷m), set the torque wrench to
25 lb-ft (34 N폷m). Rotate the tie rod end castle nut in a
clockwise direction and note if the nut turns before reaching
the set torque. Figure 3.

WARNING
Consult with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) on
any additional instructions for raising the unit. If the correct
procedures are not followed, serious personal injury and
damage to components can result.
1.

Wear safe eye protection. Park the vehicle on a level surface.

2.

Place blocks under the wheels not being serviced to keep the
vehicle from moving.

3.

Raise the vehicle so that the wheels you will service are off the
ground. Support the vehicle with safety stands.

4.

Remove the cotter pin that secures the tie rod end castle nut to
the tie rod arm. Figure 2.

Torque Range in
Lb-Ft (N폷m)

앫 If the tie rod end castle nut does not rotate prior to
reaching 25 lb-ft (34 N폷m): Proceed to Step 7.
앫 If the tie rod end castle nut rotates prior to reaching
25 lb-ft (34 N폷m): Remove the castle nut and tap the tie
rod arm with a brass or leather mallet to check the taper
lock. Note it is not necessary to strike the tie rod arm hard
to perform this check. On some axles, the ball stud may be
mounted above the tie rod arm. In such case, lift up on the
tie rod end to verify the taper lock. The taper lock should
not separate when the tie rod arm is tapped. The two parts
should be locked together.
— If the joint separates easily when tapped: Proceed to
the Inspect the Tie Rod Stud and Tie Rod Arm Bore, If
Required procedure in this technical bulletin.

Figure 2

TIE ROD 1
ARM NUT

— If the joint does not separate when tapped: Proceed
to Step 7.

COTTER PIN
TIE ROD ARM

Figure 3

COTTER PIN
TIE ROD END NUT 2
TIE ROD
ARM KEY

TIE ROD
END

BOLT
CLAMP

TIE ROD ARM
TIE ROD CLAMP
3
LOCK NUT

CASTLE
NUT

4011780a

Figure 2

TIE ROD

TIE ROD END
4003894b

Figure 3

TP-1554
Issued 02-15
Page 2

Copyright Meritor, Inc., 2015

(16579)
Printed in USA

7.

Install the tie rod castle nut and tighten to 160 lb-ft (217 N폷m).
@

8.

9.

If the hole for the cotter pin is not aligned, tighten the castle nut
to align the next available hole in the nut. Do not loosen the nut
to align the cotter pin hole. Install a new cotter pin, part
number K-2412 (1/8″ x 1.5″).

Part Replacement Procedures
Tie Rod End Replacement
Removal
NOTE: The tie rod has right-hand threads on one end and
left-hand threads on the other end. Make sure the correct tie
rod ends are installed on the tie rod.

The torque check of the castle nut is complete. Repeat the
procedure on the opposite side of the vehicle.

Inspect the Tie Rod Stud and Tie Rod Arm
Bore, if Required

1.

Alternate Method: With the wheels in the straight-ahead
position, use a tape measure to measure the width of the
complete tie rod assembly, from tie rod end to tie rod end.

NOTE: If the taper lock inspection was performed and the taper lock
separated, proceed with this procedure. If the taper lock did not
separate, this procedure is not required.
1.

Remove the cotter pin and nut that fasten the tie rod end to the
tie rod arm. Figure 2.

Mark the position (length) where each tie rod end is installed in
the tie rod. The position of the tie rod ends determines toe-in.

2.

Remove the bolt and nut from the clamp on the tie rod.

3.

Remove the tie rod end from the tie rod. Figure 2.

Installation
WARNING
Use a brass or leather mallet for assembly and disassembly
procedures. Do not hit steel parts with a steel hammer. Pieces
of a part can break off and cause serious personal injury.
2.

Disconnect the tie rod assembly from the tie rod arm. If
necessary, use the removal tool to separate the tie rod end
from the tie rod arm.

3.

Inspect the tie rod end stud surface for damage or fretting.
앫 If damage is found: Replace the damaged parts. Refer to
the Part Replacement Procedures in this technical bulletin.

4.

Inspect the tie rod arm bore surface for damage or fretting.

1.

Install the new tie rod end on the tie rod. Install the tie rod end
to the position marked during removal of old tie rod end.

2.

Install the nut and bolt in the clamps on the tie rod. Tighten the
nut to 155-175 lb-ft (210-237 N폷m). @

3.

Clean and dry the tie rod end taper and the tie rod arm tapered
hole.

4.

Connect the tie rod end into the tie rod arm on the knuckle.

5.

Install the tie rod end castle nut that fastens the tie rod end to