2

5⁄8"

Jam Nut

7⁄8"-14

UNF

½"
7⁄8"

Castle Nut
5⁄8"

• All hardware ¼" and greater is Grade 8 with no additional lubrication.
NOTE: Torque values shown in this publication apply only if Hendrickson supplied fasteners are used. If non Hendrickson fasteners are
used, follow the torque specification listed in the vehicle manufacturer’s service manual.
* Tighten to 185 foot pounds torque, advance castle nut to the next hex face to install cotter pin. DO NOT back off nut for cotter pin
installation.

Additional brake component part and service information is referenced in the Parts List. Refer to the specific parts list for
your vehicle available online at www.hendrickson‑intl.com/Truck/Fire-Rescue/STEERTEK-NXT-Fire

17730-311

53

Torque Specifications

STEERTEK NXT High Capacity Steer Axle System for Fire and Rescue Vehicles
HENDRICKSON RECOMMENDED TORQUE VALUES
Provided in foot pounds and in Newton Meters
HENDRICKSON RECOMMENDED TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Air Disc Brakes

2.
400 ± 50 ft. lbs
(542 ± 68 Nm)
1.
400 ± 50 ft. lbs
(542 ± 68 Nm)

NO.

COMPONENT

FASTENER

*TORQUE VALUE

QUANTITY

SIZE

Foot Pounds

Newton Meters

1.

Torque Plate Hex Bolts to Knuckle

8

¾"

400 ± 50

542 ± 68

2.

Torque Plate Hex Nuts

6

¾"

400 ± 50

542 ± 68

NOTE: For fasteners not supplied by Hendrickson, follow the torque specification listed in the vehicle manufacturer’s or the
component manufacturer’s service manual. Refer to the Parts List publication for your specific vehicle available online at
www‌.‌hendrickson‑intl.com.

Torque Specifications

54

17730-311

STEERTEK NXT High Capacity Steer Axle System for Fire and Rescue Vehicles
HENDRICKSON RECOMMENDED TORQUE VALUES
Provided in foot pounds and in Newton Meters
HENDRICKSON RECOMMENDED TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

Drum Brakes

2.
400 ± 50 ft. lbs
(542 ± 68 Nm)

1.
400 ± 50 ft. lbs
(542 ± 68 Nm)

NO.

COMPONENT

FASTENER

*TORQUE VALUE

QUANTITY

SIZE

Foot Pounds

Newton Meters

1.

Torque Plate Hex Bolts to Knuckle

8

¾"

400 ± 50

542 ± 68

2.

Torque Plate Hex Nuts

6

¾"

400 ± 50

542 ± 68

NOTE: For fasteners not supplied by Hendrickson, follow the torque specification listed in the vehicle manufacturer’s or the
component manufacturer’s service manual. Refer to the Parts List publication for your specific vehicle available online at
www‌.‌hendrickson‑intl.com.

17730-311

55

Torque Specifications

STEERTEK NXT High Capacity Steer Axle System for Fire and Rescue Vehicles

SECTION 11

Troubleshooting Guide
STEERTEK NXT High Capacity for Fire and Rescue Vehicles
STEERTEK NXT TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
CONDITION

Worn or damaged kingpins and
kingpin bushings

Vibration or shimmy of front axle
during operation

Excessive wear on tires or uneven
tire tread wear

Vehicle is hard to steer

Troubleshooting Guide

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

Dirt in system– contaminated lubricant

Polish and inspect kingpin, replace bushing
and seals, then follow specified lubrication
­procedures

Incorrect lubricant

Lubricate axle with specified lubricant

Axle not lubricated at scheduled frequency

Lubricant axle at scheduled frequency

Incorrect lubrication procedures

Use correct lubrication procedures

Lubrication interval not compatible with
­operating conditions

Change lubrication interval to match operating
conditions

Worn or missing seals

Replace worn or missing seals

Caster out of specification

Adjust caster to specification

Wheels and / or tires out of balance

Balance or replace wheels and / or tires

Worn shock absorbers

Replace shock absorbers

Wheel bearing adjustment

Check wheel bearing end play to the vehicle
­manufacturer’s specifications.

Tires have incorrect air pressure

Adjust tire pressure to manufacturer’s
­specification

Tires out of balance

Balance or replace tires

Incorrect axle alignment

Align axles

Incorrect toe setting

Adjust toe-in to manufacturer’s specification

Incorrect steering arm geometry

Repair steering system as necessary

Excessive wheel bearing end play

Check specified wheel nut torque, replace worn
or damaged wheel bearings

Worn suspension components or kingpins

Replace components and / or kingpins

Wheel bearing adjustment

Check wheel bearing end play to the vehicle
­manufacturer’s specifications

Low pressure in the power steering system

Repair power steering system

Steering linkage needs lubrication

Lubricate steering linkage

Steering knuckles are binding

Check vertical end play

Incorrect steering arm geometry

Repair steering system as necessary

Caster out of specification

Adjust caster to specification

Tie rod ends hard to move

Replace tie rod ends

Worn thrust bearing

Replace thrust bearing

56

17730-311

STEERTEK NXT High Capacity Steer Axle System for Fire and Rescue Vehicles

SECTION 12

Alignment Specifications
STEERTEK NXT High Capacity for Fire and Rescue Vehicles
FRONT SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS
DESIGN SPECIFICATION

CAMBER1

RANGE
MINIMUM

MAXIMUM

LEFT

0.0°±1.0°

-1.0°

+1.0°

RIGHT

-0.25°±1.0°

-1.25°

+0.75°

CROSS

0.0°

—

+2.0°

CAMBER NOTES:
1

The camber angle is not adjustable. DO NOT bend axle or otherwise try to adjust camber. If found out of ­specification, notify Hendrickson
Tech Services for further information.
DESIGN SPECIFICATION

CASTER1,2

RANGE
MINIMUM

MAXIMUM

LEFT

3.75°±1.0°

+2.75°

+4.75°

RIGHT

3.75°±1.0°

+2.75°

+4.75°

CROSS³

0.0°

—

+1.5°

CASTER NOTES:
1

Caster is determined with the vehicle at specified ride height for air suspension or at rated load for mechanical suspension systems. It
is critical that the vehicle front and rear ride height is within specifications prior to performing a caster measurement or adjustment. See
Hendrickson ride height s­ pecifications and procedure.

2

In most cases actual vehicle caster is defined with the frame rails at zero slope. Refer to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications
for correct frame rail slope. (Both the alignment surface and the vehicle’s frame rails should be level during execution of alignment
procedures). For vehicles with a positive frame rake (higher in rear) add the frame slope (in degrees) to the caster reading to determine
true vehicle caster.

3

The Cross caster angle is not adjustable – DO NOT bend axle or otherwise try to adjust cross caster. If found out of specifications notify
Hendrickson Tech Services for further information. Changes to caster can be attained by using caster shims as p­ rovided by the vehicle
manufacturer or chassis and body manufacturer. Caster shims must match, side to side, to reduce uneven loading to the suspension
components. The use of two (2) different angle caster shims will not correct cross caster.

4

Example of caster adjustment: 4.5º RH / 5º Left Hand would require one (1), 1.0 shim on each side to increase caster and achieve
5.50° Right Hand / 6.00° Left Hand, which is in specification. DO NOT attempt to use uneven shims.
Hendrickson recommends the following TMC2 practices:
RANGE

DESIGN SPECIFICATION¹

TOTAL TOE²

MINIMUM

⁄16" ± 1⁄32" (0.06" ± 0.03")

⁄32" (0.03")

1

1

MAXIMUM

⁄32" (0.09")

3

TOE-IN NOTES:
1

Toe-in is to be set and adjusted in the normal vehicle unladed configuration. Actual vehicle curb weight on the ground. Toe should be
checked at the tires front and rear tread center, at a distance above ground equal to the tire’s rolling radius.

2

In most instances total toe is set by the vehicle manufacturer or body builder. Consult the vehicle manufacturer for specifications.

17730-311

57

Alignment Specifications

STEERTEK NXT High Capacity Steer Axle System for Fire and Rescue Vehicles

SECTION 13

Reference Material
This technical publication covers Hendrickson Truck Suspension’s recommended ­procedures for
our parts / products. Other components play a major role in overall ­performance and Hendrickson
recommends you follow the specific vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for care and maintenance. Some recommended procedures have been developed by The Technology & Maintenance
Council (TMC) and Hendrickson supports these recommendations. We have compiled a list of
these below.

TMC
To obtain copies of the following RP’s, video’s, or charts, contact TMC at:
TMC/ATA
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone: 703-838-1763
website: tmc.truckline.com
online ordering: www.truckline.com/store

Important References
TMC RP 214B

Tire/Wheel End Balance and Runout

TMC RP 216

Radial Tire Conditions Analysis Guide

TMC RP 219A

Radial Tire Wear Conditions and Causes

TMC RP 222A

User’s Guide To Wheels and Rims

TMC RP 230

Tire Test Procedures for Tread wear, Serviceability, and Fuel Economy

TMC RP 514

Pre-Alignment Inspection

TMC RP 618

Wheel Bearing Adjustment Procedure

TMC RP 620B

Front End Alignment Steering Geometry

TMC RP 708A

Trailer Axle Alignment

TMC RP 642

Guidelines For Total Vehicle Alignment

TMC RP 644

Wheel End Conditions Analysis Guide

TMC RP 645

Tie Rod End Inspection and Maintenance Procedure

Video’s
TMC T0326

Wheel End Maintenance

TMC T0372

Tire Pre-Trip Inspection Guidelines

Other
TMC T0400

Reference Material

Wheel bearing Adjustment Procedure Wall Chart

58

17730-311

STEERTEK NXT High Capacity Steer Axle System for Fire and Rescue Vehicles

17730-311

59 

Actual product performance may vary depending upon vehicle configuration, operation, service and other factors.
All applications must comply with applicable Hendrickson specifications and must be approved by the respective vehicle manufacturer with the vehicle in its original, as-built configuration.
Contact Hendrickson for additional details regarding specifications, applications, capacities, and operation, service and maintenance instructions.

Call Hendrickson at 1.866.755.5968 (toll-free) or 1.630.910.2800 for additional information.

www.hendrickson-intl.com
17730-311 Rev B 04-19

TRUCK COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS
800 South Frontage Road
Woodridge, IL 60517-4904 USA
1.866.755.5968 (Toll-free U.S. and Canada)
1.630.910.2800 (Outside U.S. and Canada)
Fax 1.630.910.2899

© 2018 – 2019 Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks shown are owned by Hendrickson USA, L.L.C., or one of the affiliates, in one or more countries.
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.

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