SECTION 14: STEERING
DOB 2490-2789 | X3-45 Commuter PA1605 Maintenance Manual (Section 14 revised April 2018)
15
12.4 TIE
ROD
FIGURE 23: TIE ROD
MAINTENANCE
Tie rod ends (ball joint) are provided with
grease fittings for pressure lubrication. These
grease fittings should be serviced every 6,000
miles.
To prevent corrosion from forming around the
ball pin, remove the old grease bead and
assure sufficient grease is applied to purge
the old grease and fill the joint and dust seal.
Good quality lithium-base mineral grease NLGI
No. 2 like Shell Retinax LX are recommended.
12.5 DRAG LINK AND TIE ROD BALL JOINTS
INSPECTION FOR CORROSION
Inspection of ball joints is important. Damaged
sealing boots, salt and climatic conditions can
cause loss of the corrosion protection coating
applied at time of manufacturing.
MAINTENANCE
Inspect tie rod end ball joints for corrosion
once a year.
1. Carefully clean the sealing boot or dirt seal
contact area to ensure that no contaminants
can get under the sealing boot or dirt seal
during the following inspection procedure.
2. Use an appropriate inspection tool (e.g.
spatula with cut out) to push up (sealing
boot) or down (dirt seal) the seal (without
damaging it) until ball pin surface is visible.
Degrease the ball pin surface and inspect
carefully.
3. If there is corrosion of the ball pin or the
sealing boot has deteriorated through
ageing or is damaged, replace the ball joint.
4. If there is corrosion of the steering arm or tie
rod arm area which is in contact with the
sealing boot or dirt seal, clean and eliminate
all surface irregularities.
5. If there is no corrosion or damage to the
sealing boot or dirt seal, smear the steering
arm and tie rod arm with Lithium grease and
push seal back into its properly seated
position.
When dismantling tie rod, ensure that no
damage is caused to the sealing boots, dirt
seals or ball joint housings.
12.6 DROP TYPE BALL JOINT (SOCKET)
Refer to
"Dana Instructions for Maintenance
and overhaul of Straight and Drop Ball Sockets
iss A"
, found on Prevost Technical Publications
web site for detailed instructions on disassembly,
strip down and rebuilding of a drop type ball joint.
FIGURE 24: DROP TYPE BALL JOINT FOUND ON TIE
ROD (2X)
12.6.1
Drop Type Ball Joint End Play
Adjustment
If end play exceeds 0.047” (1.2 mm),
readjustment is necessary.
1. Remove protective cap, using a suitable tool
i.e.: a 1” x 1/8” x 9” long flat bar, tighten
