Western Star 47X 2020, Maintenance Manual

Page: 135 / 166

46–00 Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions in this section apply to all
procedures within this group.
DANGER
When working on the vehicle, shut down the en-
gine, set the parking brake, and chock the tires.
Before working under the vehicle, always place
jack stands under the frame rails to ensure the
vehicle cannot drop. Failure to follow these steps
could result in serious personal injury or death.
46–01 Drag Link Inspection
WARNING
All steering system components are critical for
safe operation of the vehicle. Failure to maintain
the steering system as specified may result in
loss of steering control, which could lead to per-
sonal injury and property damage.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down
the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the
tires.
2. Have someone turn the steering wheel from left
to right. Check for movement between the ball
stud end and the pitman arm, and between the
ball stud end and the steering arm.
If the ball stud end is loose, replace the drag
link.
3. Check the ball stud castle nut for looseness.
If the castle nut is loose, replace it and the cotter
pin. Tighten the new castle nut as follows:
•
3/4–16: 90 to 180 lbf·ft (122 to 230 N·m)
•
7/8–14: 160 to 300 lbf·ft (217 to 407 N·m)
4. Inspect the boot of the drag link at both the pit-
man arm and the steering arm end for cracks,
splits, or other damage. Replace the boot if
needed.
5. Grasp the drag link near the pitman arm end,
then push and pull laterally to check for axial
movement in the ball stud end. If it is loose, re-
place the drag link. See
Group 46 of the West-
ern Star 47X and 49X Workshop Manual for re-
placement instructions. If there is 1/8-inch (3-
mm) movement or more, do not drive the vehicle
until the drag link is replaced.
46–02 Power Steering Fluid
and Filter Change
WARNING
Fill only with approved clean fluid. Failure to use
the proper fluid could cause seal deterioration and
leaks. Fluid leaks could eventually cause loss of
power steering assist. This could lead to an acci-
dent resulting in personal injury or property dam-
age. Wear eye protection when changing the fluid
and filter.
1. Set the parking brake and chock the rear tires.
2. Raise the front of the vehicle and support it with
jack stands.
3. Put the vehicle in neutral.
4. Open the hood.
5. Wipe down the area around the steering gear
and related hydraulic lines.
6. Place a drain pan under the steering gear and
power steering reservoir.
7. Remove the pressure line and return hose (see
Fig. 1 ) from the steering gear and allow the oil to
drain.
8. Remove the filter cap from the reservoir, then
remove and discard the filter.
•
Filter caps with a separate retaining ring
have a threaded connection with the filter.
Unscrew the filter and discard it.
•
One-piece filter caps do not have a
threaded fit with the filter. Pull off the filter
and discard it.
9. Turn the steering wheel from full left to full right
three times to purge oil from the gear.
10. Connect the pressure line and return hose to the
steering gear.
11. Fill the reservoir with an approved power steer-
ing fluid to the line between the MIN COLD and
MAX HOT lines. See
Fig. 1 . See Table 1 for ap-
proved power steering fluids.
Steering
46
47X and 49X Maintenance Manual, August 2020
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