Axle Shaft Assembly: Testing and Inspection
WM 0X03IN Running gear maintenance: axle joints/drive shafts/tie rod joints
Preliminary work
DANGER
Vehicle can fall down
- Risk of squashing or crushing
- Risk of damage to the vehicle
-> Do not place any solid objects under the raised vehicle.
-> Ensure that the lifting platform is prevented from lowering.
-> Remove solid objects before lowering the vehicle.
-> Raise the vehicle only at the take-up points provided.
-> The outer take-up points should be used primarily.
1. Jack and raise the vehicle at the prescribed jacking points.
-> 4X00IN Lifting the vehicle Service and Repair
Checking ball joint
1. Check the lower axle joint at the pivot bearing.
Information
Conditions for checking the lower axle joint
The vehicle must be raised in order to check the axle joint of the lower wishbone.
Checking lower axle joint
Insert a mounting lever into the pivot bearing housing -top arrow- and lever the ball joint of the axle joint -2- downwards, see -side arrow-.
There must be no play on the joint.
2. Check the upper axle joint at the pivot bearing.
Information
Conditions for checking the upper axle joint
Raise the vehicle until there is no weight on the wheels so that only the wheels' own weight is on the ground.
Checking pivot bearing
Hold the top of the wheel and apply pressure to the pivot bearing -1- on alternate sides in the directions shown -arrows-.
There must be no play on the joint.
3. Check the tie rod joint.
CAUTION
Turning steering too sharply using the steering wheel.
- Risk of squashing arms.
-> Only turn the steering wheel as far to the left and right as required in order to check the amount of play on the tie rod.
Information
Conditions for checking the tie rod joint
The vehicle must be standing on its wheels in order to check the tie rod joint; vehicles with air suspension must be adjusted to maximum ground clearance.
Checking tie rod joint
3.1. Check that the dust boots, bellows and joints are working perfectly and have no leaks.
3.2. Check the left tie rod joint.
Turn the wheels to the right and take hold of the tie rod joint -1-. Get a second worker to turn the steering by moving the steering wheel back and forth slightly.
There must be no play on the joint.
If you detect a certain amount of play that is not caused by the tie rod joint, the axial joint between the steering gear and tie rod must be worn.
3.3. Check the right tie rod joint.
Turn the wheels to the left and take hold of the tie rod joint -1-. Get a second worker to turn the steering by moving the steering wheel back and forth slightly.
There must be no play on the joint.
If you detect a certain amount of play that is not caused by the tie rod joint, the axial joint between the steering gear and tie rod must be worn.
Axle joints: checking dust boots
1. Visually inspect the dust boots for damage.
Information
- When doing so, the rubber dust boots should be pressed down with the fingers to reveal hidden cracks.
- If a rubber dust boot leaks, the corresponding joint or control arm must be replaced, because any dirt or moisture that seeps in will destroy the joint.
2. Inspect the dust boots of the axle joints on the wheel suspension (front and rear) as follows:
- Place the vehicle on a lifting platform with the steering lock disengaged.
- Perform a visual inspection after cleaning.
Information
- Over a small area in the vicinity of the brake cover panels, no visual inspection is possible.
- Check this area by touch.
The procedure for the front axle is as follows:
- Turn the front wheels as far as they will go
- Perform a visual inspection of the visible surfaces on the left and right
- After turning the front wheels to the other steering stop, check the other half of each rubber dust boot.
Tie rod joints: checking dust boots
1. Raise the vehicle -> 4X00IN Lifting the vehicle Service and Repair
Information
- The rubber dust boots and bellows on the steering gear and on the tie rods can be damaged by external influences, e.g. stone impact, or during assembly work.
- If a rubber dust boot leaks, the joint or tie rod must be replaced, because any dirt or moisture that seeps in will destroy the joint.
2. Check dust boots.
Drive shafts: visual inspection of boots
- Perform a visual inspection of the boots for leaks and damage.