Focusing on “Wheel Ends”
Risk Services Bulletin
Risk & Insurance | Employee Benefits | Retirement & Private Wealth
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has announced this year’s International Roadcheck dates as May 17-19 with a focus on “Wheel Ends”.
What is “Roadcheck”?
International Roadcheck is a 72-hour high-visibility, high-volume commercial motor vehicle inspection, and enforcement initiative. Commercial motor vehicle inspectors in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. will conduct North American Standard Inspections of commercial motor vehicles and drivers at weighing and inspection stations, on roving patrols, and at temporary inspection sites.
Each year, CVSA focuses on a specific aspect of a roadside inspection. This year,
the focus will be on wheel ends. Wheel end components support the heavy loads carried by commercial motor vehicles, maintain stability and control, and are critical for braking. Violations involving wheel-end components historically account for about one-quarter of the vehicle out-of-service violations discovered during International Roadcheck, and past international Roadcheck data routinely identified wheel-end components as a top 10 vehicle violation.
During International Roadcheck, commercial motor vehicle inspectors examine large trucks and motorcoaches and the driver’s documentation and credentials using CVSA’s NorthAmerican Standard Inspection Program procedures which are the uniform inspection steps, processes, and standards established to ensure consistency in compliance, inspections, and enforcement. Using the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria, also established by CVSA, inspectors identify critical out-of-service violations that if found, require the inspector to restrict the driver or vehicle from travel until those violations or conditions are addressed.
Inspection Outcomes
Vehicles that successfully pass a North American Standard Level I or Level V Inspectionwithout any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal. In general, a vehicle with a valid CVSA decal will not be re-inspected during the three months while the decal is valid. Instead, inspectors will focus their efforts on vehicles without a valid CVSAdecal.
In consideration of COVID-19 and the health and safety of the commercial motor vehicle
inspectors and drivers, law enforcement personnel will conduct inspections following their departments’ health and safety protocols during International Roadcheck.
International Roadcheck is a CVSA program with participation by the U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, Transport Canada, and Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation.
North American Standard Roadside
Inspection Vehicle Cheat Sheet
BRAKES
Check for missing, non-functioning, loose, contaminated, or cracked parts on the brake system. Check for S-cam flipover. Be alert for audible air leaks around brake components and lines. Check that the slack adjusters are the same length (from the center of the S-cam to the center of the clevis pin) and the air chambers on each axle are the same size. Ensure the air system maintains air pressure between 90-100 psi (620-690 kPa). Inspect for non-manufactured holes (e.g., rust holes, holes created by rubbing or friction, etc.) and broken springs in the spring brake housing section of the parking brake. Measure pushrod travel. Inspect required brake systems warning devices, such as ABS malfunction lamp(s) and low air pressure warning devices. Inspect the tractor protection system, including the bleed back system on the trailer. Ensure the breakaway system is operable on the trailer.
COUPLING DEVICES
Safety Devices - Full Trailers/Converter Dolly(s): Check the safety devices (chains/wire rope) for sufficient strength, missing components, improper repairs, and devices that are incapable of secure attachment. On the lower fifth wheel, check for unsecured mounting to the frame or any missing or damaged parts, or any visible space between the upper and lower fifth wheel plates. Verify that the locking jaws are around the shank and not the head of the kingpin and that the release lever is seated properly and the safety latch is engaged. Check the upper fifth wheel for any damage to the weight-bearing plate (and its supports), such as cracks, loose or missing bolts on the trailer. On the sliding fifth wheel, check for proper engagement of the locking mechanism (teeth fully engaged on rail); also check for worn or missing parts. Ensure the position does not allow the tractor frame rails to contact the landing gear during turns. Check for damaged or missing fore and aft stops.
FUEL AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS
Check your fuel tanks for the following conditions: loose mounting, leaks, or other conditions; loose or missing caps; and signs of leaking fuel below the tanks. For exhaust systems, check the following: unsecured
mounting; leaks beneath the cab; exhaust system components in contact with electrical wiring or brake lines and hoses; and excessive carbon deposits around seams and clamps.
FRAME, VAN, AND OPEN-TOP TRAILERS
Inspect for corrosion fatigue; cracked, loose, or missing cross members; cracks in the frame; missing or defective body parts. Look at the condition of the hoses and check the suspension of air hoses on vehicles with sliding tandems. On the frame and frame assembly, check for cracks, bends, sagging, loose fasteners, or any defect that may lead to the collapse of the frame; corrosion; fatigue; cracked or missing cross members; cracks in the frame; missing or defective body parts. Inspect all axle(s). For vans and open-top trailer bodies, look at the upper rail and check roof bows and side posts for buckling, cracks, or ineffective fasteners. On the lower rail, check for breaks accompanied by sagging floor, rail, or cross members; or broken with loose or missing fasteners at the side post adjacent to the crack.
LIGHTING
Inspect all required lamps for proper color, operation, mounting, and visibility.
SECUREMENT OF CARGO
Make sure you are carrying a safe load. Check tail board security. Verify end gates are secured in stake pockets. Check both sides of the trailer to ensure cargo is protected from shifting or falling. Verify that rear doors are securely closed. Where the load is visible, check for proper blocking and bracing. It may be necessary to examine the inside of the trailer to ensure large objects are properly secured. Check cargo securement devices for proper number, size, and condition. Check tiedown anchor points for deformation and cracking.
STEERING
Check the steering lash by first turning the steering wheel in one direction until the tires begin to pivot. Then, place a mark on the steering wheel at a fixed reference point and turn the wheel in the opposite direction until the tires again start to move. Mark the steering wheel at the same fixed reference point and measure the distance between the
two marks. The amount of allowable lash varies with the diameter of the steering wheel.
SUSPENSION
Inspect the suspension for indications of misaligned, shifted, cracked, or missing springs; loose shackles; missing bolts; unsecured spring hangers; and cracked or lose U-bolts. Also, check any unsecured axle positioning parts and for signs of axle misalignment. On the front axle,
check for cracks, welds, and obvious misalignment.
TIRES, WHEELS, RIMS, AND HUBS
Check tires for proper inflation, cuts, and bulges, regrooved tires on the steering axle, tread wear, and major tread groove depth. Inspect sidewalls for improper repairs, exposed fabric or cord, contact with any part of the vehicle, and tire markings excluding it from use on a steering axle. Inspect wheels and rims for cracks, unseated locking rings, and broken or missing lugs, studs, or clamps. Check for rims
that are cracked or bent, have loose or damaged lug nuts and elongated stud holes, have cracks across spokes or in the web area, and have evidence of slippage in the clamp areas. Check the hubs for lubricant leaks, missing caps or plugs, misalignment and positioning, and damaged worn or missing parts.
