BBCV Steering System Maintenance & Lubrication
The key factors in keeping the steering system operating properly are inspection and maintenance.
Daily inspect the steering system, especially the drag link, and note any missing or damaged components such as bolts, nuts, cotter pins, or sealing boots. A more thorough inspection of the drag link ball sockets should be performed every 3 months or 25,000 miles (40,234 km) and requires two
individuals. With the steering wheels on the ground, the engine running and the transmission in park or neutral with parking brake set, the inspector
instructs the second individual in the driver’s seat to rock the steering wheel between the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock positions. If the inspector observes any
axial movement in the drag link ball sockets, the bus should be immediately pulled from service.
component

Lubrication Points - Steering Components
There are (5) locations for lubricating the steering system:
Both ends of Intermediate Arm
Steering Gear body
Both Ends of Drag Link

recommended lube schedule

DRAG LINK
KING PINS

Every 3 months or 5,000 miles (8,000 km)

TIE ROD
STEERING GEAR

Every 6 months or 6,000 miles (9,600 km)

DO NOT USE AN AIR GREASE GUN as excess pressure could damage seals. Use a hand operated grease gun only and add grease
until it begins to purge out around the sector shaft. Use Exxon Polyrex EP2 or NLGI grade 2 or 3 multipurpose chassis lube.

Axial Movement of Drag Link
indicated by arrows

A

GREASE FITTINGS
(INTERMEDIATE
ARM)

INTERMEDIATE
ARM

GREASE FITTING
(STEERING GEAR)

STEERING
GEAR
A
E

KING PIN

B

VIE

W

X

C

B

DRAG LINK

PITTMAN ARM
D

FRONT AXLE

Torque Chart
“A”: Intermediate Arm Nuts
“B”: Steering Gear Mounting Bolts
“C”: Pittman Arm to Steering Gear Nut
“D”: Draglink to Lower Pittman Arm Nut
“E”: Draglink to Steering Knuckle Nut

40 - 44 lb-ft (54 - 60 Nm)
270 - 300 lb-ft (366 - 406 Nm)
175 - 185 lb-ft (237 - 250 Nm)
120 - 170 lb-ft (162 - 230 Nm)
120 - 170 lb-ft (162 - 230 Nm)

GREASE
FITTINGS
(DRAG LINK)

Check torque on fasteners annually or every 100,000 miles. For vehicles operating in severe conditions or off road: every 6 months or 50,000 miles.

Front Axle and Suspension Assembly
There are grease zerks on each end of the tie rod where it connects to the steering knuckle on the axle.
*Depending on the front axle being used on your bus there may be kingpin grease zerks located on the inboard side of the steering knuckle
and upper kingpin connection. Some axles utilize a grease zerk on the bottom of the lower steering knuckle on the inboard side. Others use
kingpin grease zerks located on the top and bottom of the kingpin grease caps.

KING PIN

UPPER STEERING
KNUCKLE
(LH SIDE)

*GREASE FITTING
(KING PIN)

DRAG
LINK

GREASE FITTING
(TIE ROD)

TIE ROD

VIEW X: LOOKING FORWARD

NOTE: SOME ITEMS ARE OMITTED FROM VIEW FOR CLARITY