Front brakes
Inspect for cracked, worn or frayed hoses, and that all coup-lings are secure.Hoses
Verify that there are no cracks or dents, and that the cham-bers are securely mounted.Brake chambers
Inspect for broken, loose or missing parts.Slack adjusters
Note: The angle between the push rod and adjuster armshould be approximately 90 degrees when the brakes areapplied. When pulled by hand, the push rod should not movemore than approximately 1 in (2.5 cm).
Verify that there are no cracks, dents, holes, and no loose ormissing bolts and that the brake linings are not worn,dangerously thin or contaminated by lubricant.
Drums
Front wheels
Inspect for damaged or bent rims. They should not havewelding repairs, and there should be no rust trails, whichindicate it is loose on the wheel.
Rims
Verify all lug nuts are present and not loose (look for rusttrails around the lug nuts). There should be no cracks radiatingfrom the lug bolt holes or distortion of the bolt holes.
Lug nuts
Inspect wheel hub oil seal for leaks and, if sight glass ifpresent, verify the oil level is adequate.Hub oil seals
Inspect for proper lubrication level if the hubcap has a trans-parent window. If the hubcap does not have a transparentwindow, remove the rubber fill-plug and inspect for properlevel.
Oil-lubricated frontwheel bearings
Fuel area
Verify the tank(s) and cap(s) are secure and that there areno leaks from the tank(s).Fuel tank(s)
Inspect for leaks from the tank(s).Leaks
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Tractor-coupling system
Inspect for loose or missing mounting brackets, clamps, boltsor nuts. Verify solid attachment of both fifth wheel and theslide mounting.
Mounting bolts
Inspect for cracks or breaks in the platform structure.Platform
Verify engagement of the safety latch.Safety latch
Verify the safety latch is in the engaged position, and thatany safety latch is in place.Release arm
Verify the kingpin is not bent or worn, the apron lies flat onthe fifth-wheel skid plate and that the visible part of the apronis not bent, worn, cracked or broken.
Kingpin and apron
Rear suspension
Inspect for missing, broken or shifted leaves, or leaves thatmay be in contact with (or nearly contacting) a tire, rim, brakedrum, frame or body component.
Springs (if equipped)
Inspect for any cracked or broken spring hangers; brokenmissing or loose bolts; missing or damaged bushings; broken,loose or missing axle mounting parts.
Spring mounts (ifequipped)
Verify torsion arm is not cracked, broken or missing.Torsion arm and shockabsorbersInspect the shock absorber for cracks or leaks. There shouldbe no missing or broken mounting bolts or worn bushings.
Inspect for missing, broken or leaking components.Air suspension (ifequipped)Inspect for any cracked, broken or loose bolts; missing ordamaged bushings; broken, loose or missing axle mountingparts.
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Rear brakes
Inspect for cracked, worn or frayed hoses, and that all coup-lings are secure.Hoses
Verify that there are no cracks or dents, and that the cham-bers are securely mounted.Brake chambers
Inspect for broken, loose or missing parts.Slack adjusters
Note: The angle between the push rod and adjuster armshould be approximately 90 degrees when the brakes areapplied. When pulled by hand, the push rod should not movemore than approximately 1 in (2.5 cm).
Verify that there are no cracks, dents, holes, and no loose ormissing bolts and that the brake linings are not worn,dangerously thin or contaminated by lubricant.
Drums
Rear wheels
Check for even separation of dual wheels, and that the tiresare not touching each other.Spacers
Inspect for damaged or bent rims. They should not havewelding repairs, and there should be no rust trails, whichindicate it is loose on the wheel.
Rims
Verify all lug nuts are present and not loose (look for rusttrails around the lug nuts). There should be no cracks radiatingfrom the lug bolt holes or distortion of the bolt holes.
Lug nuts
Trailer
If you are pulling a trailer, perform aninspection of the trailer similar to that ofthe tractor. The inspection should followtrailer manufacturer recommendationsand should include at a minimum: generalcondition, landing gear, doors, sides, lights,reflectors, suspension, brakes, tires,wheels, cargo placement, stability andtie-downs.
Transmission
WARNING: If the unit starts in gearand/or the neutral start switch is notfunctioning correctly, the vehicle mayinadvertently move which could resultin property damage, personal injury ordeath.
Regularly inspect the transmission'sneutral start switch. The engine shouldonly start in neutral (N) or park (P) (ifequipped with a park position).
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AXLE INSPECTION
Front Axle
Maintaining the front axle alignment tospecifications is very important. A qualifiedtechnician should check and maintain thealignment.
Regular inspections should include:
•Toe-in inspection and adjustment (ifnecessary), particularly with radialtires.
•Checking for proper tightness of axlemounting U-bolt nuts, attaching ormounting bolts and nuts.
•Checking the axle for damage, binding,worn parts and adequate lubrication.
•Checking the kingpins for excessivewear. Also, perform this check duringother scheduled maintenance, forexample as tire rotation or service,wheel bearing service and alignment.See the workshop manual for properprocedures.
Toe-in
It is essential to maintain correct toe-inand tire pressure for optimum tire wear.
Inspecting steer axle tires in the first3,000–10,000 mi (5,000–16,000 km)generally shows if tires are wearingnormally.
Rapid outside shoulder wear on both tiresindicates too much toe-in.
Rapid inside shoulder wear on both tiresindicates too much toe-out.
In P&D-type service, there can be aleft-to-right steer tire tread life differentialup to 40% depending on routes and othervariables.
Follow the tire manufacturer'srecommended cold inflation pressure forthe tire size, load range (ply rating) andsteer axle loading typical for their operation(each steer axle tire equals ½ steer axleloading).
Special applications may warrant a settingbased on experience with the type of tireoperating loads and conditions. Radial tiresare more sensitive to toe-in setting thanbias ply tires. Fine tuning school busalignment to line-haul truck standardsdoes not drastically improve tire tread life.
STEERING SYSTEM
INSPECTION
WARNING: Failure to maintain thesteering system in proper condition cancause reduced steering ability resultingin property damage, personal injury ordeath.
Note:Have any steering problemsimmediately corrected by a qualified servicetechnician.
Ask your service technician to examine thesteering mechanism. Only minoradjustments may be necessary.
Regular inspections should include:
•Checking the tie rod, drag link endclamp bolts and ball joints for propertightness.
•Checking for installation and spread ofcotter pins and tightness of nuts atboth ends of the tie rod and drag link.
•Checking that the pitman arm (steeringarm at steering gear) mounting is tightand locked. Check system for leaks orhose chafing. Repair immediately, ifnecessary.
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3.Remove tar and grease with a bug andtar remover. We recommend that youuse Ford approved bug and tar removerif available.
4.Thoroughly rinse the wheels with waterafter cleaning.
If you intend on parking your vehicle for anextended period after cleaning the wheelswith a wheel cleaner, drive your vehicle fora few minutes before doing so. Thisreduces the risk of corrosion of the brakediscs, brake pads and linings.
Do not clean the wheels when they are hot.
Note: Some car washes could damagewheel rims and covers.
Note: Using non-recommended cleaners,harsh cleaning products, chrome wheelcleaners or abrasive materials coulddamage wheel rims, covers and bolts.
VEHICLE STORAGE
If you plan on storing your vehicle for 30days or more, read the followingmaintenance recommendations to makesure your vehicle stays in good operatingcondition.
We engineer and test all motor vehiclesand their components for reliable, regulardriving. Under various conditions,long-term storage may lead to degradedengine performance or failure unless youuse specific precautions to preserve enginecomponents.
General
•Store all vehicles in a dry, ventilatedplace.
•Protect from sunlight, if possible.
•If vehicles are stored outside, theyrequire regular maintenance to protectagainst rust and damage.
Body
•Wash your vehicle thoroughly toremove dirt, grease, oil, tar or mud fromexterior surfaces, rear-wheel housingand the underside of front fenders.
•Periodically wash your vehicle if it isstored in exposed locations.
•Touch-up exposed or primed metal toprevent rust.
•Cover chrome and stainless steel partswith a thick coat of auto wax to preventdiscoloration. Re-wax as necessarywhen you wash your vehicle.
•Lubricate all hood, door and luggagecompartment hinges and latches witha light grade oil.
•Cover interior trim to prevent fading.
•Keep all rubber parts free from oil andsolvents.
Engine
•Change the engine oil and filter prior tostorage because used engine oilcontains contaminates which maycause engine damage.
•Start the engine every 15 days for aminimum of 15 minutes. Run at fastidle with the climate controls set todefrost until the engine reaches normaloperating temperature.
•With your foot on the brake, shiftthrough all the gears while the engineis running.
•We recommend that you change theengine oil before you use your vehicleagain.
Fuel system
•Fill the fuel tank with high-quality fueluntil the first automatic shutoff of thefuel pump nozzle.
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