Freightliner Century Class. Manual - part 30

full lock left and right. Capture the fluid
flowing from the hose in the drain pan.
Add fluid to the reservoir, as needed.
When clean power steering fluid flows
from the hose, remove the plug from the
reservoir and reconnect the steering gear-
to-reservoir hose to the reservoir. Re-
move the jack stands and lower the ve-
hicle.

3.4

With the larger opening at the top, install
a new filter in the reservoir. Install the fil-
ter top plate so its center fits into the
opening at the top of the filter. Install the
filter spring.

3.5

Clean the reservoir cover and O-ring seal.
Inspect the O-ring and the cover for
cracks, deformities, or damage. Replace
the O-ring seal or cover as needed.

3.6

Install the reservoir cover over the
threaded shaft. Apply a slight downward
pressure while installing the rubber
washer and the flanged nut. Tighten the
nut until it is snug.

Use the following procedure for Argosy COEs.

4.1

Remove the clamp that holds the cover
on the reservoir. See

Fig. 2

. Remove the

cover.

NOTE: Always replace the power steering
reservoir filter when changing the fluid.

4.2

Lift out the filter spring and the filter top
plate, then remove the filter. It may be
necessary to wiggle the filter to remove it
from its base. Do not use pliers to aid in
removal of the filter; pliers could cause
metal chips to enter the steering system.
Clean the inside of the reservoir using a
lint-free cloth.

IMPORTANT: Do not start the engine while
draining the system.

4.3

Place the disconnected end of the steer-
ing gear-to-reservoir hose in the drain
pan. Raise the front of the vehicle with a
floor jack and support it with jack stands.
Have someone turn the steering wheel to
full lock left and right. Capture the fluid
flowing from the hose in the drain pan.

2
3

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Vented Fill Cap and
Dipstick

Flanged Nut

Rubber Washer

Reservoir Cover

Filter Spring

Filter Top Plate

Reservoir Filter

Threaded Shaft

Power Steering
Reservoir

Fig. 1, Power Steering Reservoir and Filter, Century

Class Conventional

07/09/98

f461670

Fill Cap

Filter Spring

Filter Top Plate

Clamp

Filter

Reservoir Cover

Fig. 2, Power Steering Reservoir and Filter, Argosy

COE

Steering

46/2

Add fluid to the reservoir as needed.
When clean power steering fluid flows
from the hose, remove the plug from the
reservoir and reconnect the steering gear-
to-reservoir hose to the reservoir. Re-
move the jack stands and lower the ve-
hicle.

4.4

Install a new filter into the reservoir. In-
stall the filter spring and the filter top
plate.

4.5

Clean the reservoir cover and O-ring seal.
Inspect the O-ring and the cover for
cracks, deformities, or damage. Replace
the O-ring seal or cover as needed.

4.6

Install the reservoir cover and the clamp.
Tighten the clamp 25 lbf·in (280 N·cm).

Using ATF fluid that meets Dexron III or TES-389
specifications, fill the power steering reservoir
with approved power steering fluid to the FULL
COLD mark.

Start the engine and operate it at idle. Turn the
steering wheel to full lock left and right to adjust
the fluid level and remove any existing air from
the power steering pump and gear. Recheck the
fluid level. Add fluid as needed. The system is
properly bled when the steering pump does not
labor when turning the wheel.

Check for leaks in the power steering system,
and repair as needed. Top off the power steering
fluid level as needed.

46–03 Power Steering Fluid

Level Inspection

Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down
the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the
tires.

With the engine cool, use a shop towel or clean
rag to clean the area around the power steering
reservoir fill cap. See

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

. Twist the

cap counterclockwise to remove it. Check the
cold power steering fluid level. The level should
be between ADD COLD and FULL COLD with
the engine off.

Start the engine and run it at idle until it reaches
operating temperature.

On Century Class Conventionals, remove the
dipstick and check that power steering fluid is
between ADD HOT and FULL HOT. If the fluid
level is low, add enough fluid to bring the level
up to the FULL HOT mark on the dipstick.

On Argosy COEs, check that power steering fluid
is between the ADD HOT and FULL HOT lines
on the transparent reservoir. If necessary, add
enough ATF fluid that meets Dexron III or TES-
389 specifications to bring the level up to the
FULL HOT mark on the dipstick.

46–04 Power Steering Gear

Lubrication

Sheppard Steering Gears

Sheppard power steering gears manufactured with-
out grease fittings are maintenance-free. If the power
steering gear has no grease fitting, it requires no pe-
riodic lubrication.

Sheppard power steering gears with grease fittings
must be lubricated periodically.

Wipe off any debris from the bearing cap grease
fitting. See

Fig. 3

Using a hand-type grease gun, apply multipur-
pose chassis grease until grease starts coming
out of the bearing cap dirt-and-water seal.

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Bearing Cap Grease Fitting

Fig. 3, Sheppard Bearing Cap Lubrication

Steering

46/3

TRW Steering Gears

NOTICE

Apply grease to the sector shaft with a hand-type
grease gun only. Use of a high-pressure power
grease gun will supply grease too quickly and
could affect the high pressure seal, contaminating
the hydraulic fluid.

Using a hand-type grease gun, apply NLGI Grade 2
or 3 multipurpose chassis grease until it starts to
come out past the sector shaft seal. See

Fig. 4

46–05 Drag Link Lubrication

Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down
the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the
tires.

Using a clean rag, wipe all dirt from both drag
link grease fittings. See

Fig. 5

Using a pressure gun and NLGI Grade 2 (8%
12-hydroxy lithium stearate grease) or NLGI
Grade 1 (6% 12-hydroxy lithium stearate grease)
chassis grease, apply clean grease at the grease
fittings until old grease is forced out of the
socket.

46–06 Rack and Pinion

Steering Gear Inspection

WARNING

All steering system components are critical for
safe operation of the vehicle. Failure to maintain
the steering system as specified may result in
loss of steering control, which could lead to per-
sonal injury and property damage.

Inspect the rack and pinion steering system as de-
scribed below, and repair or replace any components
that are worn or damaged.

Figure 6

shows the com-

ponents of the rack and pinion steering system.

Park the vehicle on a level surface, shut down
the engine, and set the parking brake. Chock the
tires.

Check the steering I-shaft U-joints for evidence
of looseness or binding. If any is found, replace
the I-shaft.

Check the steering I-shaft slip joint for evidence
of lateral movement, looseness, or binding. If any
is found, replace the I-shaft.

Jack up one axle end at a time, and move the
tire in and out by hand to check the tie rod ends
for free play. No free play is allowed. If the outer
tie rod ends are damaged or worn, replace them.
See Group 46 of the Century Class Trucks
Workshop Manual for replacement instructions.

Check the steering gear mounting bolts for secu-
rity.

Check that the outer tie rod castle nuts are tight,
and the cotter pins are properly installed.

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Sector Shaft Grease Fitting

Fig. 4, TRW Steering Gear Lubrication

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Grease Fitting at Pitman Arm

Grease Fitting at Axle Steering Arm

Fig. 5, Drag Link

Steering

46/4

IMPORTANT: Do not remove the bellows unless
they are damaged and require replacement, or
there is evidence of a loose inner tie rod or
there is hydraulic fluid leak.

Use a clean rag to remove all dirt and debris
from the bellows. Check the bellows for holes or
tears. If any are found, replace the bellows.

Check for evidence of hydraulic fluid leakage
from the bellows. If hydraulic fluid is found to be

leaking from within the bellows, replace the
steering gear.

Check the input shaft for any leakage around the
input shaft seal cover. If there is evidence of
leakage from inside the cover, remove it and re-
place the input shaft seal. See Group 46 of the
Century Class Trucks Workshop Manual for in-
structions.

Check the steering system pressure and return
lines and fittings for leaks and damaged lines or

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Steering Tie Rod Arm

Power Steering Fluid Lines

Large Bellows Clamp

Bellows

Small Bellows Clamp

Driver-Side Outer Tie Rod

Tie Rod Jam Nut

Inner Tie Rod Flat

Inner Tie Rod Ball Joint

10. Input Shaft Seal Cover
11. I-shaft Upper Yoke
12. I-shaft Lower Yoke Boot Clamp
13. I-shaft Lower Yoke Boot
14. I-shaft Lower End Yoke
15. Transfer Line Tube Fittings
16. Power Steering Fluid Line

Fittings

17. I-shaft Slip Joint
18. Transfer Lines
19. Rack and Pinion Gear
20. Pinch Bolt
21. Tie Rod Clamp
22. Tie Rod Clamp Nut
23. Passenger-Side Outer Tie Rod

Fig. 6, Rack and Pinion Steering System

Steering

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