PREVOST X3-45 COMMUTER User Manual

SECTION 14: STEERING
DOB 1300-1556 | X3-45 Commuter PA-1648 Maintenance Manual First release Oct 2020
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FIGURE 34:
13.8.4 Tie rod ball joint inspection for
corrosion
MAINTENANCE
Inspect tie rod ball joints for corrosion once a
year.
FIGURE 35: TIE ROD BALL JOINT CONSTRUCTION
1. Carefully clean the sealing boot contact area
to ensure that no contaminants can get
under the sealing bellows during the
inspection procedure. Do not use cleaning
agents or solvents, only use dry cloth or
cotton wool.
2. Housing: The housing must not show any
signs of deep rusting (depth of no more than
approx. 1mm). Pay particular attention to the
roll edge and cover, they must be rust free.
Clean corrosion on the axle steering lever
contact faces also.
3. Bellows: They must be in perfect condition
to protect from corrosion. Squeeze the
bellows by hand and make sure no grease is
expelled from the opening. Make sure the
bellows is in good condition, without any
holes, tears, scratches of chafing marks.
Replace the joint if inspection result is not
OK.
Tension rings and clamping rings must be
well seated in their groove.
It must always be possible to turn the
bellows on the housing by hand (do not use
any tools). Hold the bellows in the area of
the clamping ring and turn with a lot of
manual force. Replace the tie rod if the result
is not OK.
13.9 DRAG LINK BALL JOINT 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 drag link 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 inspection procedure. Do not use
cleaning agents or solvents, only use dry
cloth or cotton wool.
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.

PREVOST X3-45 COMMUTER Specifications

General

Engine	Volvo D13
Transmission	Allison B500
Fuel Type	Diesel
Length	45 ft (13.7 m)
Width	102 in (2.6 m)
Horsepower	500 hp
GVWR	54, 000 lbs
Height	141 in