N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-31.10

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:20-31.10 - Steering system

(a) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to steering wheel free play:

1. When any of the values (movement in inches, centimeters, or degrees) in the chart below are met or exceeded, a school bus shall be placed out-of-service. For power steering systems, the engine must be running. The following chart shall be adhered to in determining steering wheel free play, and is incorporated herein.

NATIONAL SCHOOL

TRANSPORTATION SPECIFICATIONS AND

PROCEDURES OUT-OF-SERVICE CRITERIA

STEERING WHEEL FREE PLAY CHART

Manual System	Power System
Steering Wheel	Movement	Movement
Diameter	30 degrees or	45 degrees or
16 inches (41 cm)	2 inches (5.1 cm)	4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm)
(or more)	(or more)
18 inches (46 cm)	2 1/4 inches (5.4 cm)	4 3/4 inches (12 cm)
(or more)	(or more)
20 inches (51 cm)	2 1/2 inches (6.4 cm)	5 1/4 inches (13.5 cm)
(or more)	(or more)
22 inches (56 cm)	2 3/4 inches (7 cm)	5 3/4 inches (14.5 cm)
(or more)	(or more)

(b) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to the steering column:

1. Any absence of U-bolt(s) or positioning part(s);

2. Any looseness of U-bolt(s) or positioning part(s);

3. Worn universal joint;

4. Faulty universal joint;

5. Repair-welded universal joint; or

6. The steering wheel not properly secured.

(c) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to the front axle beam and all steering components other than the steering column, including the hub:

1. Any crack; or

2. Any obvious welded repair.

(d) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to the steering gear box:

1. Any loose or missing mounting bolt;

2. Any crack in the steering gear box or mounting brackets; or

3. Any obvious welded repair.

(e) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to the pitman arm:

1. Any looseness of the pitman arm on the steering gear output shaft; or

2. Any obvious welded repair.

(f) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to power steering:

1. The auxiliary power assist cylinder is loose; or

2. The power steering pump is inoperable.

(g) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to ball and socket joints:

1. Any movement under steering load of a stub nut;

2. Any motion, other than rotational, between any linkage member and its attachment point of more than 1/8 inch (three mm) measured with hand pressure only; or

3. Any obvious welded repair.

(h) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to tie rods and drag links:

1. Loose clamp or clamp bolt on a tie rod or a drag link; or

2. Any looseness in any threaded joint.

(i) The following is the out-of-service criterion pertaining to nuts:

1. Loose or missing nut(s) on a tie rod, pitman arm, drag link, steering arm, or tie rod arm.

(j) The following are the out-of-service criteria pertaining to the steering system:

1. Any modification of the steering system that interferes with the free movement of any steering component; or

2. Any other condition that interferes with the free movement of any steering component.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:20-31.10

Administrative correction.
See: 35 New Jersey Register 1688(b), 2260(a).
Amended by R.2005 d.24, effective 1/18/2005.
See: 35 New Jersey Register 5483(a), 37 New Jersey Register 321(a).
Rewrote (a).