SB-08-209
February 17, 2017

Hendrickson
Quik-Align Pivot Bolt

In 2014 Quik-Align Pivot Connection was upgraded from a hex-head
shear-type bolt to a round-head shear type bolt. Neither the previous
design nor the new round-head shear type bolt may be reused.
Hendrickson does not authorize reuse of the bolt.
bolt.
Please refer to page 2 of the Hendrickson Technical Procedure
Bulletin. If you have any questions regarding the information attached,
please contact your Hendrickson service representative at 330-4890045.
Any other questions regarding this service bulletin should be directed
to Utility’s Field Service Department at 800-423-6591.

Field Service Department
UTILITY TRAILER MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Utility hasn’t independently evaluated the information contained in the attached Technical Procedure on Quik-Align
Pivot Connection Fastener Upgrade from Hendrickson; it is making the Technical Procedure available as a
convenience and for information purposes. You are encouraged to contact Hendrickson at (330-489-0045) if you
have any questions concerning the content of the document, or how these issues affect trailers you are servicing.

Technical
Procedure

Trailer Suspension Systems

SUBJECT: QUIK-ALIGN® Pivot Connection
Fastener Upgrade
LIT NO: B92 
DATE: May 2014
REVISION: D
In keeping with our philosophy of continuous improvement, Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems will
implement a revision to all suspension models and aftermarket kits equipped with the QUIK-ALIGN® pivot
connection. A round-head shear type bolt will replace the previous hex-head shear-type bolt to help make the
connection tamper resistant.
Shear-type bolt
Frame bracket

QUIK-ALIGN® pivot connection

The shear-type bolt is well known to Hendrickson customers as a fast, flexible and convenient way to apply
the proper torque and clamp force at the pivot connection. Simply install the bolt from the inboard side of the
frame bracket and tighten with an E20 Torx® socket until the bolt’s Torx® head shears off. That feature has not
changed. The new shear-type bolt functions exactly the same as the previous design.

Torx® head

Previous, hex-head shear-type bolt

New, round-head shear-type bolt

QUIK-ALIGN® Pivot Connection Fastener Upgrade
FASTENERS FACTORY TORQUED BY HENDRICKSON (VANTRAAX® ONLY)
A non-shear-type Hendrickson hex-head bolt will continue to be used on all pre-aligned and factory-torqued
VANTRAAX® pivot connections.
HENDRICKSON DOES NOT AUTHORIZE REUSE OF THE BOLT
Neither the previous design nor the new round-head shear-type bolt may be reused. Whenever the pivot
connection is disassembled, the shear-type bolt must be removed by grinding or another appropriate method
and discarded. The bolt and nut are not reuseable. A new shear-type bolt and hex nut must be installed and
sheared to achieve the proper pivot connection torque and clamp force.
IMPORTANT: It is acceptable to mix the new round-head shear-type bolt with the previous hex-head sheartype bolt on the same suspension. Any new, unused hex-head shear-type bolts you may have in
stock can be used to exhaust inventory.
The shear-type bolt is an effective, reliable and proven fastener. When properly installed, the shear-type bolt
will provide the trouble-free, high-strength connection you have come to expect. Anyone who assembles or
reassembles the pivot connection (OEMs, dealers, repair facilities, etc.) is responsible for the proper
installation of the shear-type bolt. Failure to reach the required torque can result in an insufficient clamp force
and unreliable axle alignment.
CAUTION: DO NOT apply anti-sieze compound or additional lubricant to pivot connection hardware.
A dry lubricant coating has been applied to the threads of the pivot connection bolt and
nut. Do not allow undercoating, paint, surface coatings, or any other commonly used
compounds to contact the threads of the pivot connection fasteners. These compounds can
act like a lubricant, reducing the friction between the threads of the nut and bolt. This can
lead to overtightened fasteners, unpredictable pivot connection clamp loads and unreliable
axle alignments. Threads should be clean, dry and free of contamination, as supplied by
Hendrickson.
IMPORTANT: An improperly torqued pivot connection can result in injury and/or property damage.
REQUIRED TOOLS
Hendrickson offers three drive sockets that may be used with the shear-type bolt:
description

drive size

part number

Hedrickson
E20 Torx® Socket

3/4 inch

A-24303

Cost effective tool for occasional use (not recommended for
use in high-volume trailer production environments).

Hedrickson
E20 Torx® Socket

1 inch

A-24536

For medium-duty use (dealers, repair facilities, etc.) or for
those with one inch drive air tools.

A-25119

For high-volume trailer production environments or
manufacturing facilities — the sleeve allows the operator
to rest the tool on the bolt during the entire shear operation
resulting in full engagement, less fatigue and properly torqued
pivot connections.

Hedrickson
E20 Torx® Socket
With Sleeve

1 inch

comments

Equivalent sockets such as Camcar TX-8120 or Strong Tools E-20 T.S. may also be used.
IMPORTANT: To avoid damaging the shear bolt’s Torx® head (regardless of the drive socket being used),
ensure that the drive socket has fully engaged the Torx® head.

2

B92 D

QUIK-ALIGN® Pivot Connection Fastener Upgrade

Socket fully engaged on Torx® head

Socket not fully engaged

Hendrickson does not recommend the ¾-in. drive socket for use in high volume trailer production
environments. The ¾-in. drive socket can back away from full Torx® head engagement during the shearing
process and strip the Torx-head splines. When damage occurs to the Torx-head splines, the proper torque and
clamp force may not be achieved.
For high volume trailer production and service facilities, Hendrickson recommends the one-inch drive E20 Torx®
socket with sleeve (part number A-25119). The sleeve helps support the tool by riding over the entire head of
the shear bolt. It also provides greater operator control at the moment of shear by preventing the heavy tool
from veering. The operator can rest the tool against the collar during the entire operation resulting in full
socket-to-bolt engagement, reduced fatigue and consistent, properly torqued pivot connections.
The sleeve helps
keep the tool fully
engeaged on the
bolt

The Torx® head
can shear off
without the tool
veering

One-inch drive E20 Torx® socket with sleeve
(part number A-25119)

If you already own the one-inch drive E20 Torx® socket without the sleeve (part number A-24536) and wish to
add the sleeve to it, dimensions are included on the back page. A local fabricating shop can make and
assemble the sleeve for you using this information.
If you have any questions about the use or operation of the new shear-type bolt and/or questions concerning
the Hendrickson E20 Torx® sockets, please contact our technical service department in the United States at 866743-3247 or in Canada at 905-789-1030.

B92 D

3

2.156
1.425
0.645 +.010 /
-.005

2.500

1.842 +.010 /
-.005

Socket OD - .004

2X .125 x 45° Chamfer
Measurements are in inches

¼-20
Drill and tap
(one side only)

NOTES:
1. Sleeve undersized by .004; shrink fit socket into sleeve OD.
2. Drill and tap assembly for ¼-20 × .25 (oval point) standard hex socket set screw.
3. Material: Ø2.500 6150 H.R.S.
4. Heat treatment (sleeve):
- oil drenched: 1550º F (538º C)
- tempered: 1000º F (843º C)

Call your trailer dealer or Hendrickson at 866.RIDEAIR (743.3247) for additional information.

www.hendrickson-intl.com

Trailer Commercial Vehicle Systems
2070 Industrial Place SE
Canton, OH 44707-2641 USA
866.RIDEAIR (743.3247)
330.489.0045 • Fax 800.696.4416

Hendrickson Canada
250 Chrysler Drive, Unit #3
Brampton, ON Canada L6S 6B6
800.668.5360
905.789.1030 • Fax 905.789.1033

Hendrickson Mexicana
Circuito El Marqués Sur #29
Parque Industrial El Marqués
Pob. El Colorado, Municipio El Marqués,
Querétaro, México C.P. 76246
+52 (442) 296.3600 • Fax +52 (442) 296.3601

B92 Rev D 05-14 ECN 22950
Information contained in this literature was accurate at the time of publication. Product changes may have been made after the copyright date that are not reflected.

© 2014 Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved

Printed in United States of America