Tractor-Coupling System
Mounting BoltsInspect for loose or missing mounting brackets,
clamps, bolts or nuts. Both fifth-wheel and slide
mounting must be solidly attached.
PlatformInspect for cracks or breaks in the platform
structure.
Safety LatchVerify safety latch is engaged.
Release ArmVerify:
•the safety latch is in the engaged position
•any safety latch is in place.
Kingpin and
ApronVerify:
•the kingpin is not bent or worn
•the apron lies flat on the fifth-wheel skid plate
•the visible part of the apron is not bent, worn,
cracked or broken.
Rear Suspension
Springs•Inspect for broken or shifted leaves or leaves
that are in contact with (or nearly contacting) a
tire, rim, brake drum, frame or body component.
•Inspect for missing or broken leaves in the leaf
spring.
Spring MountsInspect for:
•cracked or broken spring hangers
•broken, missing or loose bolts
•missing or damaged bushings
•broken, loose or missing axle mounting parts.
Torsion Arm and
Shock Absorbers•Verify torsion arm is not cracked, broken or
missing.
•Inspect the shock absorber for cracks or leaks.
There should be no missing or broken mounting
bolts or worn bushings.
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Rear Brakes
Hoses•Inspect for cracked, worn or frayed hoses.
•Verify all couplings are secured.
Brake ChambersVerify:
•there are no cracks or dents
•they are securely mounted.
Slack AdjusterInspect for broken, loose or missing parts.
Note:The angle between the push rod and
adjuster arm should be approximately 90° when
the brakes are applied. When pulled by hand, the
push rod should not move more than
approximately one inch (2.5 cm).
DrumVerify:
•there are no cracks, dents, holes and no loose
or missing bolts
•the brake linings are not worn, dangerously
thin or contaminated by lubricant.
Rear Wheels
SpacersVerify:
•dual wheels are evenly separated
•the tires are not touching one another.
RimsInspect for damaged or bent rims. Rims should
not have welding repairs, and no rust trails that
indicate it is loose on the wheel.
Lug NutsVerify all lug nuts are present and not loose (look
for rust trails around the lug nuts). There should
be no cracks radiating from the lug bolt holes or
distortion of the bolt holes.
24Vehicle Inspection Guide
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
WRECKER TOWING
WARNING:To reduce the risk of personal injury or property
damage when manually releasing the spring brakes, be sure to
block the wheels so the vehicle cannot move once the brakes are
released.
Note:Make sure the vehicle is securely connected to the tow vehicle
and that the tow vehicle’s parking brakes are applied before releasing the
disabled vehicle’s spring brakes.
Before moving the disabled vehicle, check for adequate road clearance of
vehicle components. It is recommended the disabled vehicle be unloaded
prior to being towed to reduce any abnormal load to the vehicle
components resulting from the towing procedures. Before towing, make
sure the parking brake is fully released. The spring-actuated type parking
brake can be reset by recharging the air system with at least 64 psi
(441 kPa) of air. If the brake system does not retain air pressure, then
the spring brakes must be released manually. SeeParking brakein the
Brakeschapter.
Towing the Vehicle with the Front Wheels Suspended
Note:To avoid transmission damage, vehicles should not be towed even
a short distance without suspending rear wheels or removing the axle
shafts or driveshaft.
Note:In the event the chassis is equipped with a tandem axle and the
vehicle is to be towed from the front, the forward rear axle may be
raised to clear the road surface and secured to the frame by chains or
U-bolts, allowing only the rear rear axle to contact the road surface. Axle
shafts must be removed from the rear rear axle assembly. The wheel hub
ends must be covered to prevent loss of axle lubricant and entrance of
contaminants. Use extreme care in securing the chains or U-bolts to
avoid possible damage to the brake lines, hoses or other components.
When it is necessary to tow a vehicle with the front wheels suspended,
extra precautions must be taken to avoid transmission or differential
damage:
•Remove the axle shafts from the axle assembly to prevent the wheels
from driving the differential and the transmission.
•The wheel hub ends must be covered to prevent loss of axle lubricant
and entrance of other contaminants. If the axle shafts are not
removed, removal of the driveshaft is required.
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Climate Control System
Have the air conditioning system checked each spring. The refrigerant
charge, cleanliness of the condenser-evaporator cores and belt condition
are essential to system performance.
When the air conditioning system is being used daily, remove the fresh
air filter (if equipped) once each season and check for dirt, lint, etc.
Replace the filter if necessary. Vehicles operating in unusually dusty
conditions may require more frequent filter inspection and replacement.
Front Axle
Maintaining the front axle alignment to specifications is very important
and should only be performed by a qualified technician. Regular
inspections should include:
•toe-in inspection and adjustment (if necessary), particularly with
radial tires.
•checking for proper tightness of axle mounting U-bolt nuts, attaching
or mounting bolts and nuts.
•checking the axle for damage, binding, worn parts and adequate
lubrication..
•checking the kingpins for excessive wear. This should also be done
during other scheduled maintenance (tire rotation or service, wheel
bearing service, alignment, etc.). See the workshop manual for proper
procedures.
Toe-in
It is essential that correct toe-in and tire pressure be maintained for
optimum tire wear.
Inspecting steer axle tires in the first 3000–10000 service miles
(5000–16000 service kilometers) generally shows if tires are wearing
normally.
Rapid outside shoulder wear on both tires indicates too much toe-in.
Rapid inside shoulder wear on both tires indicates too much toe-out.
In P&D-type service, left-to-right steer tire tread life differentials up to
40% can be observed depending on routes and other variables.
Follow the tire manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure for
the tire size, load range (ply rating) and steer axle loading typical for
their operation (each steer axle tire equals
1 2steer axle loading).
206Maintenance
2013 F-650/750(f67)
Owners Guide gf, 2nd Printing, March 2013
USA(fus)
Daily Owner Checks
U.S. Department
of Transportation,
Federal Highway
Administration
Requirements
(Make sure the
entire system is
functioning
properly.)Service brakes and parking brake.
Steering mechanism.
Lighting devices and reflectors.
Tires.
Horn.
Windshield wipers.
Rear vision mirrors.
Wheels and rims.
Emergency equipment.
Every Oil Change
EngineInspect engine cooling system hoses, clamps and
protection.
*
Inspect drive belt(s).
Exhaust SystemInspect entire exhaust system (including the inlet
pipe(s), muffler(s), outlet pipe(s), clamps and
fasteners) for holes, leakage, breakage, corrosive
damage and separation from other components.
Adjust, service or replace with the same or the
equivalent part. (Also a noise emission control
service.)
SuspensionTighten the front and rear spring U-bolts to the
specified torque.
Driveline and
Rear AxleLubricate the U-joints and the slip yoke.
BrakesLubricate the air brake foot control valve, hinge
and roller.
Inspect the drum brake linings through the
inspection holes.
Lubricate the rear caliper slide rails.
Lubricate the brake camshafts and slack adjuster
(air brakes only).
Inspect the disc brake pads and the piston boots
(hydraulic brakes only).
Scheduled Maintenance285
2013 F-650/750(f67)
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