Usage:
NOTE: The information supplied in this service letter may not be valid after the termination date of this program. Do not perform the work outlined in this Service Letter after the termination date without first contacting your Caterpillar product analyst.
NOTE: This Program can be administered either before or after a failure. In either case the decision whether to apply the Program is made by the dealer. When reporting the repair, use "PS8613" as the Part Number and "7755" as the Group Number. If administered before failure, use "56" as the Warranty Claim Description Code and use "T" as the SIMS Description Code. If administered after failure, use "96" as the Warranty Claim Description Code and use "Z" as the SIMS Description Code.
NOTE: This Revised Service Letter replaces the April 30, 1996 Service Letter. A change was made to the Termination Date.
Termination Date
April 30, 1998Problem
The steering axle knuckles may fail under certain severe steering applications on certain RM-350 Reclaimers and SM-350 Stabilizers. New steer knuckles with a stronger casting and an orbitrol (metering pump group.) with a built in relief can be installed.
Affected Product
Model & Identification Number
RM-350 (5FK1-103)
SM-350 (1RM1-59)
Parts Needed
- 4 - 775330 Bushing
- 2 - 776458 Washer
- 4 - 868661 Seal
- 1 - 1277255 Metering Pump Gp.
- 1 - 1323582 Knuckle (RH)
- 1 - 1323583 Knuckle (LH)
- 2 - 776458 Washer
Action Required
Inspect the axle knuckles for cracks. If cracks are present, they can be seen near the top or bottom of the front section either by the king pin transition area or by where the steer cylinder clevis blends into the knuckle casting. If there are cracks, this constitutes a failure. Replace both sides since the loading should be common to both knuckles. See the attached procedure.
Service Claim Allowances
NOTE: This is an 18-hour job.
Parts Disposition
Handle the parts in accordance with your Warranty Bulletin on warranty parts handling.
Attach.
- (1-Rework Procedure)
Rework Procedure
Refer to the Service Manual and Parts Book as required.
1. Support the machine.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Drain the planetary lubricant.
4. Remove the spider assembly. Match mark before removing.
5. Remove the sun gear from end of axle shaft.
6. Disconnect the brake line hose and cap.
7. Remove the caliper brake.
8. Remove the wheel bearing nut.
9. Remove the wheel hub housing.
10. Remove the wheel spindle.
11. Remove the axle shaft and universal joint.
12. Disconnect the tie rod end.
13. Disconnect the rod end of steer cylinder.
14. Remove the king pins.
15. Remove the knuckle casting (119-1844 RH and 119-1845 LH).
16. Install the new bushing (077-5330) in axle housing.
17. Install the new oil seal (086-8661) in axle housing.
18. Lubricate the king pin bores with grease.
19. Install the new steering knuckles (132-3582 RH and 132-3583 LH).
20. Install the upper king pin and shims originally used.
21. Install the lower king pin, thrust washer, and shims. Replace thrust washer (077-6458) if damaged.
22. Adjust end play to 0.13 to 0.33 mm (.005 to .013 in).
NOTE: Make sure knuckle is centered with shims for axle shaft u-joint clearance.
23. Connect rod end of steer cylinder.
24. Connect tie rod end.
25. Insert axle shaft and u-joint assembly.
26. Install the new bushing (077-5330) in spindle.
27. Install the new oil seal (086-8661) in spindle.
28. Install the wheel spindle. torque bolts to 200 N·m (150 lb-ft).
29. Install the wheel hub housing.
30. Install the bearing and bearing nut. torque to 540 nm (400 lb-ft).
31. Install the brake caliper.
32. Connect brake line hose.
33. Install the sun gear on end of axle shaft.
34. Clean and apply silicone sealer to spider assembly.
35. Install the spider assembly. align match marks.
36. Rotate wheel end to correct position and fill with lubricant.
37. Set steer stops so axle stops before retracting cylinder bottoms out. Back off steer stops. Steer axle until it stops by bottoming out the retracting cylinder. Adjust stop one turn out (ccw) beyond that contact point. Should be about 50 mm (2.0 in). May require more on sm to keep the tires from rubbing the frame. Repeat for both directions.
38. Install the wheel and tire assembly.
39. Remove the steering wheel.
40. Disconnect hoses from orbitrol Metering Pump Gp. (steering valve) and cap.
41. Remove the steering column.
42. Remove the orbitrol (1G6148) Metering Pump Gp.. Remove the fittings.
43. Install the fittings on new orbitrol Metering Pump Gp. (127-7255).
44. Install the new orbitrol Metering Pump Gp..
45. Install the steering column.
46. Connect hoses to orbitrol Metering Pump Gp..
47. Install the steering wheel.
6R2480 Drive Axle Group - Part 1 of 2
6R2480 Drive Axle Group - Part 2 of 2
1086237 Steering Group - Control