Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...
- 1/2-inch
- 2/32-inch
- 1-inch
- 4/32-inch
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Tires: The following items must be inspected on every tire:
- Tread depth - Check for minimum tread depth (4/32-inch on steering axle tires, 2/32-inch on all other tires).
- Tire condition - Check that tread is evenly worn and look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls. Also, make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken or damaged.
- Tire inflation - Check for proper inflation by using a tire gauge or by striking tires with a mallet or other similar device.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
When checking a drive tire, tell the examiner:
"I'm checking the drive tire to make sure the tread is evenly worn and there are no abrasions, bulges, or cuts to the tread or sidewalls. The tread must have a minimum depth of 2/32 of an inch. The tires must be properly inflated according to factory specifications. I'm also making sure there is proper spacing between the dual tires and the space is free from foreign objects."
- Check the components on the tractor only
- Check the components for every axle
- Check the components on the trailer only
- Checking suspension components is not required
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Springs/air/torque:
- Look for missing, shifted, cracked or broken leaf springs.
- Look for broken or distorted coil springs.
- If vehicle is equipped with torsion bars, torque arms or other types of suspension components, check that they are not damaged and are mounted securely.
- Air ride suspension should be checked for damage and leaks.
Mounts:
Look for cracked or broken spring hangers, missing or damaged bushings and broken, loose or missing bolts, Ubolts or other axle mounting parts. (The mounts should be checked at each point where they are secured to the vehicle frame and axle(s)).
Shock absorbers:
Check that shock absorbers are secure and that there are no leaks.
Note: Be prepared to perform the same suspension components inspection on every axle (power unit and trailer, if equipped).
- Make sure there is a small amount of steering fluid dripping from the bottom of the steering box
- All of these answers are correct
- Look for any missing nuts, bolts, and cotter pins
- Check for damaged hoses leading to the steering box
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Steering box/hoses:
- Check that the steering box is securely mounted and not leaking. Look for any missing nuts, bolts and cotter keys.
- Check for power steering fluid leaks or damage to power steering hoses.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
After pointing out the steering box and hoses, tell the examiner:
"I am making sure the steering box is properly mounted and secured, not cracked bent or broken, and not leaking fluid. I'm also making sure all the hoses are not damaged or leaking."
- Yes, but the rim has to be replaced within 1 year of the weld being made
- No, rims cannot have welding repairs
- Yes, but any welds must be made by a certified mechanic
- Yes, welding is allowed on rims
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Rims: Check for damaged or bent rims. Rims cannot have welding repairs.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
While inspecting a rim during your pre-trip exam, tell the examiner:
"I am checking the rim to make sure it is not cracked, bent, or broken and contains no welds."
- Axle Seals
- Brake Linings
- Slack Adjusters
- Lug Nuts
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Lug nuts:
- Check that all lug nuts are present, free of cracks and distortions, and show no signs of looseness such as rust trails or shiny threads.
- Make sure all bolt holes are not cracked or distorted.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
During the pre-trip exam, you'll want to mention the lug nuts for each wheel. You should say:
"All lug nuts are present, not loose, and there are no rust trails around the nuts or cracks around bolt holes."
- Steering linkage
- Slack adjusters
- Kingpin
- Drive shaft
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Steering linkage:
- See that connecting links, arms and rods from the steering box to the wheel are not worn or cracked.
- Check that joints and sockets are not worn or loose and that there are no missing nuts, bolts or cotter keys.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
After pointing out the steering linkage, tell the examiner:
"I'm checking the steering linkage from the steering box to the wheel and making sure it is not worn, cracked, bent, or broken. I'm also making sure all joints and sockets are not worn or loose with no missing nuts, bolts, or cotter pins."
- You should do all of these things
- Check for air leaks
- Make sure it's properly mounted and secure
- Look for cracks and dents
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Brake chambers: Check that brake chambers are not leaking, cracked or dented and are securely mounted.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
After pointing out the location of a brake chamber, tell the examiner:
"I am now inspecting the brake chamber to make sure it's not cracked, bent, or broken. I'm also making sure it is properly mounted and secure and is not leaking."
- No more than 1 inch
- No more than 1/2 inch
- No more than 1.5 inches
- No more than 2 inches
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Slack adjusters:
- Look for broken, loose or missing parts.
- The angle between the push rod and adjustor arm should be a little over 90 degrees when the brakes are released and not less than 90 degrees when the brakes are applied.
- When pulled by hand, the brake rod should not move more than 1 inch (with the brakes released).
- The manual adjustment of automatic slack adjusters is dangerous because it gives the vehicle operator a false sense of security about the effectiveness of the braking system.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
While inspecting the slack adjuster and push rod, you should tell the examiner:
"I am now checking the slack adjuster and push rod to be sure they are properly mounted and secure, not cracked, bent, or broken. When the brakes are released and pulled by hand, the rod should not move more than approximately 1 inch."
- 2/32-inch
- 1/2-inch
- 1-inch
- 4/32-inch
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Tires: The following items must be inspected on every tire:
- Tread depth - Check for minimum tread depth (4/32-inch on steering axle tires, 2/32-inch on all other tires).
- Tire condition - Check that tread is evenly worn and look for cuts or other damage to tread or sidewalls. Also, make sure that valve caps and stems are not missing, broken or damaged.
- Tire inflation - Check for proper inflation by using a tire gauge or by striking tires with a mallet or other similar device.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
When checking a steer tire, say to the examiner:
"I'm checking the steer tire to make sure the tread is evenly worn and there are no abrasions, bulges, or cuts to tread or sidewalls. The tread must have a minimum depth of 4/32 of an inch. The tires must be properly inflated according to factory specifications. Tire inflation on steer tires must be checked with a tire gauge."
- Pipe seals
- Rim oil seals
- Hub oil seals
- Drive seals
Quote From The CDL Manual:
Hub oil seals/axle seals:
Check that hub oil/grease seals and axle seals are not leaking and, if wheel has a sight glass, oil level is adequate.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
When checking an axle seal, tell the examiner:
"I'm checking the axle seal to make certain it is securely mounted, not damaged, and not leaking."
If a sight glass is present, say "I'm checking the sight glass to make sure the fluid is at the proper level."
Note: Not all axle seals have a sight glass.