Vehicle Checks
Check and Adjust the Wheel Bearings

3.
4.
5.

Remove the wheel and tire assembly from the hub. If using oil
lube hubs, drain the oil from the hubcap.
Remove the capscrews that fasten the cap to the hub. Remove
the gasket and cap.
Attach a dial indicator with the magnetic base at the center of
the spindle. Adjust the dial indicator so that the pointer is
against the hubcap gasket face. Set the dial indicator on ZERO.
Figure 42.

Use the torque wrench to tighten the adjusting nut to 150 lb-ft
(203 N폷m) while rotating the hub in both directions. @

10. Loosen the nut completely and then tighten the nut to 50 lb-ft
(68 N폷m) while rotating the hub. @
11. Adjust the wheel bearings. Figure 43.
Figure 43

ALL MODELS WITH GREASE-LUBRICATED
WHEEL ENDS
PIERCED
LOCK RING

Figure 42

JAM NUT
DIAL
INDICATOR

HUBCAP
4012457a
Figure 42

(16579)
Printed in USA

JAM NUT
LOCK
WASHER

ADJUSTING
NUT
4003896b

Figure 43

A.

Copyright Meritor, Inc., 2016

Back off the adjusting nut 1/4 turn.
TP-15123
Issued 01-16
Page 21

B.

Install the pierced lock ring, lock washer and jam nut.

3.

C.

Tighten a 1.75-inch threaded jam nut to 200-300 lb-ft
(271-407 N폷m). @

Use paint or chalk to mark the center area of both front tires
around the complete outer surface of the tire.

4.

Place the pointers of the trammel bar on the marks of each
tire. Rotate tires. Verify that the straight line is marked on the
outer surface of the tire.

5.

Lower the vehicle to the floor. Move the vehicle forward and
backward 10 feet (3 meters).

6.

Place a trammel bar at back of tires. Align the pointers with the
marks on the tires. Raise the pointers so that they are even
with the spindles. Measure and record the distance between
pointers.

7.

Place a trammel bar at the front of the tires. Align the pointers
with the marks on tires. Raise the pointers so they are even
with the spindles. Measure and record the distance between
the pointers. Figure 44.

D.

E.

Measure the wheel end play to verify that the end play is
0.001-0.005-inch (0.025-0.127 mm) or Steps A-C must
be repeated. If end play exceeds 0.005-inch (0.127 mm),
reduce the amount the adjusting nut is backed off in Step
A.
When the correct end play is achieved, lock the jam nut in
place by bending the edge of the jam nut lock washer
over one flat of the jam nut.

12. Measure the end play by pushing and pulling on the horizontal
axis of the hub while looking at the dial indicator. The end play
is the total travel observed.
앫 If the end play is not within specifications: Adjust the
wheel bearings.

Figure 44

13. Install the gasket and hubcap with the capscrews and flat
washers. Tighten the capscrews to 6 lb-ft (8.13 N폷m)
maximum using a star pattern. Then use a star pattern to apply
a final torque of 12-18 lb-ft (16-24 N폷m). For models with CR
Zytel hubcaps, apply a final torque of 12-16 lb-ft (16-22 N폷m).
@

14. Install the tire and wheel assembly.
15. Lower the vehicle to ground. Check the brake operation.

4003930a

16. If necessary, refill the oil lube hub reservoir. Refer to the
procedures in this publication.

Figure 44

8.

Adjustments
Adjust Toe-In

To get toe-in measurement, subtract the reading of the front of
the tires from the reading at the back of the tires. Figure 45.

Figure 45

Specification:

A

앫 Unloaded: 1/16" ± 1/32" (1.587 mm ± 0.0312 mm)
FRONT

앫 Loaded: 1/32" ± 1/32" (0.794 mm ± 0.794 mm)

CAUTION
Most tire wear is caused by incorrect toe settings. Do not
change camber or caster settings to correct tire wear
problems. If the axle assembly is bent to change caster or
camber, the strength of the axle is reduced and the warranty is
voided. An axle damaged by bending can cause a vehicle
accident and result in serious personal injury.
1.

Park the vehicle on a level surface. Block the wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving.

2.

Use a jack to raise the vehicle so that the wheels to be serviced
are off the ground. Support the vehicle with safety stands.

TP-15123
Issued 01-16
Page 22

B
B MINUS A EQUALS TOE-IN
4003931a
Figure 45

9.

If the toe-in measurement is not at the specified distance, use
the following procedure.
A.

Copyright Meritor, Inc., 2016

Loosen the nut and bolt on each end of the tie rod
clamps.

(16579)
Printed in USA

B.

Turn the tie rod until the specified toe-in distance is
obtained.

4.

C.

Tighten the nut and bolt on each end of the tie rod clamp.

Pack the Wheel End with Grease —
Grease-Lubricated Wheel Bearings

앫 For a 5/8"-11 clamp bolt: 40-60 lb-ft (55-81 N폷m).
@

1.

Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Remove and
disassemble the hub. Refer to the procedures in this
publication.

2.

Remove the old lubricant from all parts. Discard the seals.
Inspect the wheel bearings for wear or damage. Replace worn
or damaged bearings. Refer to the procedures in this
publication.

3.

Using a bearing grease packer or by hand, force the specified
grease into the cavities between the rollers and cage.

4.

Pack the hub between the bearing cups with the specified
grease, up to the level of the smallest diameter of the cups
360 degrees around. Figure 47.

앫 For a 3/4"-10 clamp bolt: 155-175 lb-ft
(210-237 N폷m). @
10. Repeat Steps 1-9 to check the toe-in dimension.

Apply the lubricant until new lubricant comes from the boot.
Figure 46.

Lubrication
Table J: Front Axle Lubricant Specifications
Description

Lubricant Specification

King Pins, Bushings, Ends of
Tie Rods, Ball Studs on Drag
Link, Wheel Bearings

Multi-Purpose Chassis Grease,
6% 12-hydroxy lithium stearate
grease, NLGI Grade 1, Meritor
Specification O-617-A or
equivalent

Figure 47

Multi-Purpose Chassis Grease,
8% 12-hydroxy lithium stearate
grease, NLGI Grade 2, Meritor
Specification O-617-B or
equivalent

LUBE

Lubricate the Tie Rod Ends
Lubricate the ends of the tie rod according to the following
procedure.
1.

Park the vehicle on a level surface. Block the wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving.

2.

Verify that the tires touch the ground. Do not raise the vehicle.

3.

Use a grease gun to lubricate the assembly. Apply the lubricant
through grease fittings on assembly. Figure 46.

4003936a
Figure 47

5.

Install the inner and outer bearing cones into the cups in the
hubs. The bearing cups must be pressed tight against the
shoulder in the hubs.

6.

Install new wheel seals in the hubs. Refer to the procedures in
this publication.

7.

Install the hub and the wheel and tire assembly. Install the
outer wheel bearing cone in the hub. Install the adjusting nut.

8.

Adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to the procedures in this
publication.

Figure 46

TIE ROD ARM

Lubricant
must come
from here.
TIE ROD

TIE ROD END
4003935b

Figure 46

(16579)
Printed in USA

Copyright Meritor, Inc., 2016

TP-15123
Issued 01-16
Page 23

Fill the Wheel End with Oil — Oil-Lubricated Wheel
Bearings
1.

Clean and inspect the bearings for wear or damage. Replace
any that are worn or damaged.

2.

Remove the old lubricant from all parts. Discard the seals.

3.

Lubricate and install the inner and outer bearing cones into the
cups in the hubs. The bearing cups must be pressed tight
against the shoulder in the hubs.

4.

Install the hub and the wheel and tire assembly. Install the
outer wheel bearing cone in the hub. Install the adjusting nut.

5.

Adjust the wheel bearings. Refer to the procedures in this
publication.

6.

Install the hubcap assembly.

7.

Remove the fill plug and add the specified oil to the correct
level. Reinstall the fill plug.

8.

Rotate the wheel end to ensure distribution of the oil.

9.

Recheck the level on the cap. If the oil level is not at the
specified level on the cap, remove the fill plug. Add the
specified oil until the oil is at the correct level. Figure 48.

Figure 48

4.

Lubricate the pins through the grease fittings on the top and
bottom of the knuckle. Figure 49.

Figure 49

TOP GREASE
FITTING

SHIM
PACK

Lube must
come from
here.
BOTTOM GREASE
FITTING

4003934b

Figure 49

5.

Apply lubricant until new lubricant comes from the thrust
bearing upper seal and the shim pack.
앫 If grease does not purge: The bushing seals may have
been installed incorrectly. Remove and reinstall the bushing
seals correctly.

OIL LEVEL

4003937a
Figure 48

Lubricate the King Pins
1.

Park the vehicle on a level surface. Block the wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving.

2.

Verify that the tires touch the ground. Do not raise the vehicle.
You must keep weight on the thrust bearing to better force
grease through the bearing.

3.

Clean off all grease fittings prior to lubrication.

TP-15123
Issued 01-16
Page 24

Copyright Meritor, Inc., 2016

(16579)
Printed in USA

Specifications
FH 941 and FH 946 Axles
Figure 50

7 GREASE FITTING
KING PIN CAP

BUSHING

DRAW KEY NUT
DRAW
KEY

AXLE CENTER
SHIMS

SEAL
2 THREADED
KNUCKLE
CAP

DRAW KEY 6
DRAW KEY NUT
SEAL, IF REQUIRED
THRUST BEARING

STEERING
KNUCKLE

KING PIN

STOP SCREW

SEAL

STOP SCREW
LOCKNUT

3

STEERING ARM

1A

BUSHING
KING PIN CAP
GREASE FITTING
1

FH 941 AND FH 946
STEERING ARM
AND KNUCKLE

COTTER PIN
TIE ROD ARM
COTTER PIN

TIE ROD
ARM NUT

TIE ROD END NUT 5
BOLT
TIE ROD
ARM KEY

CLAMP

TIE ROD
ASSEMBLY

TIE ROD CLAMP
4
LOCKNUT

TIE ROD
END

4012362a

Figure 50

Table K: Fastener Torque Chart: FH 941 and FH 946 Axles
Torque Range
Item

Description

Size

lb-ft

N폷m

1

Tie Rod Arm Nut

1-1/4"-12

1A

Steering Arm Nut

775-1050 (up to 1450
maximum1)

1051-1965 (up to 1965
maximum1)

2

Threaded Knuckle Cap

2"-20

100-120

135-160

3

Stop Screw Locknut

1/2"-20

50-65

68-88

4

Tie Rod Clamp Locknut

5/8"-11 on Tie Rod Tube