Specifications

17730-248 25 Preventive Maintenance
AIRTEK
®
•
SOFTEK
®
for Blue Bird Buses
LUBRICATION INTERVALS
For vehicles equipped with the STEERTEK axle, regular lubrication intervals should be
followed to help prevent premature wear to the kingpin bushings and tie rod ends, see lubri-
cation chart below.
NOTE The recommended service lubrication interval is a guideline, the vehicle may require
increased lubrication interval depending on severity of operation.
KINGPIN LUBRICATION
On the Hendrickson STEERTEK front axle the kingpin grease fittings are located on the top
and bottom of the kingpin grease caps.
1. Place the vehicle on a level floor.
2. Prior to greasing the kingpins on the vehicle, the suspension must be in a loaded
condition.
3. Clean off all the grease fittings and grease gun tip with a clean shop towel prior to
lubrication.
4. Lubricate the kingpins through the grease fittings on the top and bottom of the steering
knuckle, see Lubrication Specification Matrix above.
5. Force the required lubricant into the upper and lower kingpin grease fittings, until new
lubricant flows from the upper axle beam and knuckle and the thrust bearing purge
location, see Figures 7-1 and 7-2.
NOTE Greasing at the lower zerk should purge grease from the thrust bearing shell. Both sides
purge in the same area. The left side of the axle has a composite style thrust bearing, see
Figure 7-1 and the right side of the axle has a steel roller thrust bearing, see Figure 7-2,
for right hand drive axle configuration the thrust bearings will be the opposite.
FIGURE 7-1 FIGURE 7-2
STEERTEK GREASING AND LUBRICATION SPECIFICATIONS
Component Greasing Interval Grease
NLGI
Grade
Outside Temperature
Kinpin Bushings
Maximum of
25,000 miles
(40,225 kilometers)
or 90 days, whichever
comes first.
Multipurpose
Grease
2
Refer to the lubricant
manufacturer’s specifications
for the temperature service
limits applicable to your area.
Tie Rod Ends
Drag Link See Vehicle Manufacturer
NOTE: Lubrication greases acceptable for use on the STEERTEK axle will carry a designation of
NLGI #2 EP and rated GC-LB or equivalent.
SERVICE MANUAL
L
67
FRONT AXLE & SUSPENSION
1
APPENDIX