Compliant, Heavy–Duty Compliant
& Round–Tube Tie Rods
SUBJECT: Auxiliary Axle Tie–Rod Toe Inspection
& Toe–Setting Procedure
LIT NO: H785
DATE: April 2019
REVISION: B

INTRODUCTION

This publication is intended to assist maintenance personnel with toe inspection and toe
setting for (1) the Compliant Tie Rod (CTR), (2) the Heavy-Duty Compliant Tie Rod (HD-CTR),
or (3) the standard round-tube tie rod equipped on various Hendrickson auxiliary lift axle
suspension models.
The following field inspections and service are required to ensure the proper performance
of vehicles equipped with such Hendrickson auxiliary lift axle suspensions. Ensure that your
vehicle is properly set up for service work and that safety procedures are adhered to during service.
A TECHNICIAN USING A SERVICE PROCEDURE OR TOOL WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED
BY HENDRICKSON MUST FIRST SATISFY HIMSELF THAT NEITHER HIS SAFETY NOR THE VEHICLE'S
SAFETY WILL BE JEOPARDIZED BY THE METHOD OR TOOL SELECTED. INDIVIDUALS DEVIATING IN
ANY MANNER FROM THE INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED WILL ASSUME ALL RISKS OF CONSEQUENTIAL
PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT INVOLVED.
IMPROPER JACKING METHOD CAN CAUSE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE
CONTROL, SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. DO NOT USE AXLE BEAM OUTBOARD OF AXLE
SPRING SEATS. REFER TO VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FOR PROPER JACKING INSTRUCTIONS.

YOU WILL NEED:
■■
Well sockets and box/open ended wrenches – 11⁄8" and 15⁄16" deep, 15⁄16" swivel
■■
Torque wrench capable of – 500 foot pounds and 60 foot pounds
■■
½" or ¾" impact or pneumatic impact gun
■■
Can of paint, jack stands, tape measure, screwdriver
■■
Optional - Trammel bar

DEFINITIONS
Toe — is the relationship of the distance between the front of the tires and the distance
between the rear of the tires on the same self-steer auxiliary lift axle suspension, as measured
at spindle height.
Toe-in — When the front Toe distance is less than the rear Toe distance, the wheels are in a
“Toe-in” condition also known as the positive condition.
Steer Ahead — is the general steer angle orientation of the auxiliary lift axle wheels relative
to the vehicle once the vehicle is driven in a straight line and the auxiliary lift axle is lifted. At
that time, the axle tires should remain approximately parallel to the vehicle.

Tie Rod Toe Inspection and Toe Setting Procedure
INSPECTION
The following field inspections and adjustments are necessary to ensure the proper performance of vehicles equipped with a Hendrickson self-steer auxiliary lift axle suspension.
NOTE

It is important that these procedures are conducted on flat and level surface/ground.

STEER AHEAD INSPECTION
LOWER THE AUXILIARY LIFT AXLE ON A LEVEL FLOOR AND CHOCK THE WHEELS ON THE AXLES OTHER
THAN THE AUXILIARY AXLE TO HELP PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. NEVER WORK UNDER A
RAISED AXLE SUPPORTED BY ONLY A FLOOR JACK, WHICH CAN SLIP OR FALL OVER AND RESULT IN
SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY. ALWAYS SUPPORT A RAISED AUXILIARY AXLE WITH SAFETY STANDS.

1. On a level surface, lower the auxiliary axle onto the ground with the ride air springs set to
the recommended operating pressure.
SERVICE HINT

For recommended ride air spring operating pressures and related information, see the
air pressure load charts included in (1) the pre-installation literature packet provided by
Hendrickson and/or (2) Hendrickson’s Owner’s Manual for Steerable Auxiliary Axle Systems,
Literature No. OM-H754.
2. Drive the vehicle two (2) to five (5) feet straight ahead, ensuring the auxiliary axle is on
a straight forward path.
3. Allow vehicle to roll to a stop (do not apply service brakes), set parking brakes.
4. Turn engine off and chock the wheels on the axles other than the auxiliary axle.
5. Raise the auxiliary axle.

FIGURE 1

6. On both the left and right
hand side of the auxiliary
axle, measure the distance from outboard
bolt head of the stabilizer to inboard bolt
head of the stabilizer,
see Figure 1.
a.

SERVICE HINT

If the two measurements are not within
½" of each other, it
will be necessary
to reset the Steer
Ahead, see Steer
Ahead Reset instructions in this publication.

Stabilizer Length

An axle with the standard round tube tapered tie rod requires the coil-over stabilizers to be
replaced if a steer ahead reset is necessary.

STEER AHEAD RESET
■■

Only applicable for the Compliant Tie Rods (CTR) and Heavy-duty Compliant Tie Rods
(HD-CTR), not applicable for the Standard Round Tube Tie Rods.

1. On a level surface, raise the auxiliary axle.
2. Loosen, DO NOT remove, the tie rod end bolts on both ends of the tie rod until the bolts
are free to rotate on the knuckles, see Figure 2.



2

H785

Tie Rod Toe Inspection and Toe Setting Procedure
FIGURE 2

3. Lower the auxiliary axle onto the ground with the ride
air springs set to the recommended operating pressure.
SERVICE HINT

For recommended ride air spring operating pressures and
related information, see the air pressure load charts included
in (1) the pre-installation literature packet provided by
Hendrickson and/or (2) Hendrickson’s Owner’s Manual for
Steerable Auxiliary Axle Systems (Literature No. OM-H754).
4. Drive the vehicle two (2) to five (5) feet straight ahead,
ensuring the auxiliary axle is on a straight forward path.
5. Allow vehicle to roll to a stop (do not apply service brakes), set parking brakes.
6. Turn engine off and chock the wheels on the axles other than the auxiliary axle.
7. Tighten the CTR or HD-CTR tie rod end bolts to

350-450 foot pounds.

8. Raise the auxiliary axle.
9. On both the left and right hand side of the auxiliary axle, measure the distance from
outboard bolt head of the stabilizer to inboard bolt head of the stabilizer, see Figure 1.
a.

If the two measurements are not within ½" of each other, it will be necessary to reset
the Steer Ahead, see Steer Ahead Reset instructions in this publication.

10. It is required to proceed to Toe Inspection Procedure and, if necessary, Toe Setting
Procedure.

TOE INSPECTION
1. Ensure the vehicle is on flat level surface.
2. Lower the auxiliary axle onto the ground with the ride air springs set to the recommended
operating pressure.
SERVICE HINT

For recommended ride air spring operating pressures and related information, see the
air pressure load charts included in (1) the pre-installation literature packet provided by
Hendrickson and/or (2) Hendrickson’s Owner’s Manual for Steerable Auxiliary Axle Systems,
Literature No. OM-H754.
3. Set wheels in straight ahead position by pulling vehicle straight ahead two (2) to five
(5) feet.
4. Allow vehicle to roll to a stop (do not apply service brakes), set parking brakes.
5. Turn engine off and chock the wheels on the axles other than the auxiliary axle.
6. Raise the auxiliary axle.
7. Use paint and mark the center area of tread on both tires of the auxiliary axle around the
complete outer diameter of the tires, see Figure 3.
8. Using a screwdriver and jack stands, scribe a line in the wet paint around the complete
circumference of both tires. Spin the tires completely during both the painting and aligning process for a consistent reference during the toe setting procedure.
9. With the ride air springs set to the recommended operating pressure, lower the auxiliary
axle onto the ground. Reference the load scale stickers provided in the literature packet
from Hendrickson for the recommended operating pressure.
10. MEASURE TOE — use a tape measure or trammel bar to achieve 1⁄16" to 1⁄8" toe‑in by
measuring the distance from the centerline of one scribed tire to the centerline of opposing scribed tire at the rear of the auxiliary axle, see Figure 3. Repeat the measurement at
the front of the auxiliary axle.

H785

3



Tie Rod Toe Inspection and Toe Setting Procedure
11. If the auxiliary axle does not meet Hendrickson’s recommended 1⁄16" to 1⁄8" toe-in specification as shown in Figure 3, proceed to Toe Setting Procedure.
FIGURE 3 – Shown HD-CTR
TOE-IN

Toe measurement
height to be the same
as the initial
measurement Dim.“A”

Toe measurement
height to be the same
as the initial
measurement Dim.“A”

“A”
Measure this Dimension first

Scribe
Marks

Measure the distance between the scribed lines at
the front tires and the rear of the tires. The distance
measured at the front of the tires should be
1/16" to 1/8" shorter than the distance measured
at the rear of the tires.

Scribe
Marks

TOE SETTING
■■ COMPLIANT TIE

ROD (CTR)

1. After the inspection, if a toe adjustment is necessary, loosen the retaining and serrated
bolts on both ends of the tie rod, see Figure 4.
FIGURE 4

Serrated Bolt

Retaining Bolt

Eccentric Washer
FIGURE 5
EASE TOE
-IN
CR
IN

2. Rotate the eccentric washer by rotating the
bolt to achieve the recommended 1⁄16" to
1⁄8" toe‑in specification.
NOTE

As the serrated bolt head is turned the eccentric
washer with inboard grooved ridges will rotate
in the same direction of the serrated bolt.
3. Rotate clock-wise to INCREASE toe-in and
counter clock-wise to DECREASE toe-in,
see Figure 5.

D

EC

REA

S E TO E -

IN

4. After the recommended toe specification is achieved, tighten the retaining and serrated
bolts to 180-190 foot pounds. Verify with torque wrench.
5. Proceed to Final Inspection in this publication.



4

H785

Tie Rod Toe Inspection and Toe Setting Procedure
■■ HEAVY–DUTY

COMPLIANT TIE ROD (HD-CTR)

1. After the inspection, if a toe adjustment is necessary, loosen the tie rod clamp fasteners
on both ends of the tie rod, see Figure 6.
FIGURE 6

Tie Rod Cross Tube
Tie Rod Clamp

Tie Rod Clamp

2. Rotate the cross tube to achieve the recommended
SERVICE HINT

1⁄16"

to

1⁄8"

toe-in specification.

When rotating the cross tube the bushings may wind up and affect measurements. To unwind
the bushings, rotate the cross tube forward and backward until the wind up releases.
3. After the recommended toe-in specification is achieved, tighten the tie rod clamp bolts to
40-60 foot pounds. Verify with torque wrench.
4. Proceed to Final Inspection in this publication.
■■ STANDARD

ROUND–TUBE TIE ROD

1. After the inspection, if a toe adjustment is necessary, loosen the tie rod clamp fasteners
on both ends, see Figure 7.
FIGURE 7

Tie Rod Cross Tube

Tie Rod Clamp

Tie Rod Clamp

2. Rotate the cross tube to achieve the recommended 1⁄16" to 1⁄8" toe-in specification.
3. After the recommended toe-in specification is achieved, tighten the tie rod clamp bolts to
40-60 foot pounds. Verify with torque wrench.
4. Proceed to Final Inspection in this publication.

FINAL INSPECTION
1. Ensure the vehicle is on flat level surface.
2. Lower the auxiliary axle onto the ground with the ride air springs set to the recommended
operating pressure. Reference the load scale stickers provided in the literature packet
from Hendrickson for the recommended operating pressure.
3. Set wheels in straight ahead position by pulling vehicle straight ahead two (2) to five (5)
feet.
4. Allow vehicle to roll to a stop (do not apply service brakes), set parking brakes.
5. Turn engine off and chock the wheels on the axles other than the auxiliary axle.
6. Raise the auxiliary axle.
7. MEASURE TOE — use a tape measure or trammel bar to achieve 1⁄16" to 1⁄8" toe‑in by
measuring the distance from the centerline of one scribed tire to the centerline of opposing scribed tire at the rear of the axle. Repeat the measurement at the front of the axle.
a.

H785

If the auxiliary axle does not meet the recommended 1⁄16" to 1⁄8" toe-in, the toe setting
procedure must be repeated.

5



Tie Rod Toe Inspection and Toe Setting Procedure
NOTES



6

H785

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 800.660.2829 or 800.668.5360 in Canada for additional information.

www.hendrickson-intl.com
H785 Rev B 04-19

SPECIALTY PRODUCTS AUXILIARY AXLE SYSTEMS
277 North High Street
Hebron, OH 43025 USA
800.660.2829
740.929.5600 • Fax 740.929.5601

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

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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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