Pro-Torq Retaining Clip (Keeper) Inspection – AXN Trailer Axles

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E088
Manufacturer AXN Heavy Duty LLC
Components SUSPENSION
Potential Number of Units Affected 1,569

 

Wheel End Separation from Axle

If the wheel end separates from the axle, it can increase the risk of a crash.

 

Summary

AXN Heavy Duty LLC (AXN) is recalling certain Trailer Axles. The wheel end nut locking device on these trailers may not be properly installed, allowing the wheel end to separate from the axle.

 

Remedy

AXN has notified the trailer manufacturers that purchased the axles, and dealers for those manufacturers will inspect the locking clip to ensure its proper installation, correcting it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2018. Owners may contact AXN customer service at 1-502-882-9122.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

---

Pro-Torq Inspection Procedure

---

ACTION PLAN: Pro-Torq Retaining Clip (Keeper) Inspection

---

August 29, 2018 RevC

 

SAFETY STATEMENT

Always consult with your Certified Safety Administrator prior to any Inspections or Procedures.

AXN Heavy Duty, LLC shall not be held liable for any actions or damage incurred during Inspections or Procedures.

 

REQUIRED INSPECTION PROCEDURE:

1. Remove Hub Cap and discard gasket.
2. Visually verify presence of Pro-Torq Retaining Clip (Keeper) (see Figure 1).
3. Verify the mating teeth are engaged and the keeper tab and keeper arms are fully seated into the undercut groove in the Pro-Torq Wheel Nut (Figure 1). If all of these conditions are NOT met, see CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

#1 – CORRECTIVE ACTION – if Pro-Torq Keeper is present and mating teeth are engaged properly, but a keeper arm does NOT seem to be engaged in groove: Using the STEMCO PRO-Torq Instruction sheet on the following page, ensure keeper is installed properly per the instructions starting with step 5. Reinstall hub cap using new gasket, torquing bolts to 12-16 ft-lbs in a star pattern. Allowable Standard Repair Time (SRT) = 0.1 hr/wheel end Record all information requested on the supplied Trailer Inspection Checklist (see Figure 2) and Scan & Email along with Invoice to AXN Heavy Duty per instructions.

#2 – CORRECTIVE ACTION – if Pro-Torq Keeper is missing or mating teeth are NOT engaged: Use the STEMCO PRO-Torq Instruction sheet on the following pages to reinstall Pro-Torq Nut, New Keeper, and check end-play per TMC RP 618A “Wheel Bearing Adjustment Procedures”. Reinstall hub cap using new gasket, torquing bolts to 12-16 ft-lbs in a star pattern. Allowable Standard Repair Time (SRT) = 0.4 hr/wheel end Record all information requested on the supplied Trailer Inspection Checklist (see Figure 2) and Scan & Email along with Invoice to AXN Heavy Duty per instructions.

 

Figure 1: Pro-Torq Wheel-end Nut and Retaining clip Proper Installation

 

Figure 2: Trailer Inspection Checklist

 

STEMCO PRO-Torq Instructions

 

Step 1: Remove the Keeper from the nut

Use a small screwdriver to carefully pry the keeper arm from the undercut groove on each side until the keeper is released.

 

Step 2:

Thread the nut onto the axle until hand tight against the bearing

 

Step 3: Seat the Bearing

With hub/drum only:

Using a torque wrench:

A.

(1) Tighten the Nut to 200 ft-lbs. Spin the wheel at least one full rotation.
(2) Tighten the Nut to 200 ft-lbs. Spin the wheel at least one full rotation.
(3) Tighten the nut to 200 ft-lbs. B. Back the nut off until it is loose.

B. Back the nut off until it is loose.

With hub/drum/wheels:

A. Tighten the nut to 200 ft-lbs while the wheel is rotating.
B. Back the nut off until it is loose.

 

Step 4: Adjust the Bearing

With hub/drum only:

Using a torque wrench:

A.

(1) Tighten the Nut to 100 ft-lbs. Spin the wheel at least one full rotation.
(2) Tighten the Nut to 100 ft-lbs. Spin the wheel at least one full rotation.
(3) Tighten the nut to 100 ft-lbs.

B. Back the nut off one raised face mark.

With hub/drum/wheels:

Using a torque wrench:

A. Tighten the nut to 100 ft-lbs while the wheel is rotating.
B. Back the nut off one raised face mark.

 

WARNING! Failure to follow this instruction could cause the wheel to come off and cause bodily injury. Failure to back off the nut will cause the bearing to run hot and be damaged.

 

Step 5: Install the Keeper

ORANGE SIDE FACING OUT

A. Insert the keeper tab into the undercut groove of the nut and engage the keyway tang in the axle keyway. Insert keeper tab with the orange side facing out.
B. Engage the mating teeth.
C. Compress and insert the keeper arms, one at a time, into the undercut groove with a small screwdriver.

NOTE: Recommended practice is to replace the keeper each time the Pro-Torq nut assembly is removed for maintenance purposes.

 

Step 6:

If the inner tang does not line up with the keyway, back the nut off slightly until it does. Using a small screwdriver, compress and insert the keeper arms, one at a time, into the undercut groove. The orange painted side of the keeper must be facing out

 

Step 7:

Failure to follow this instruction could cause the wheel to come off and cause bodily injury. Make sure that the keeper tab and keeper arms are fully seated into the undercut groove.

 

Step 8:

Inspect keyway tang to ensure it does not contact the bottom of the keyway. If contact exists, immediately notify your PRO-TORQ® representative.

 

Step 9: Acceptable End Play

The dial indicator should be attached to the hub or brake drum with its magnetic base. Adjust the dial indicator so that its plunger is against the end of the spindle with its line of action approximately parallel to the axis of the spindle.

Grasp the wheel or hub assembly at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. Push and pull the wheel-end assembly in and out while oscillating the wheel approximately 45 degrees. Stop oscillating the hub so that the dial indicator tip is in the same position as it was before oscillation began. Read the bearing end-play as the total indicator movement.

*Acceptable end-play is .001” – .005”

Please refer to TMC RP 618A “Wheel Bearing Adjustment Procedures”

---

Agreement for Allowable Standard Repair Times (SRT)  for Pro-Torq Inspection Program

---

 

The following Terms of Service are effective August 29, 2018:

BETWEEN:	Owner, Operator, Dealer, Repair Facility (Service Provider) performing the Inspection Procedures
AND:	AXN Heavy Duty (Company) 5534 National Turnpike Louisville, KY 40214

 

BILLING AGREEMENT for SRT:

Service Provider is prepared to provide the following professional services to Company.

 

1. A qualified Service Provider will have to precisely follow the INSPECTION PROCEDURE – Pro-Torq Retaining Clips-RevC.pdf.

2. For the Inspection Procedure, the Service Provider will charge the allowable rate of:
   • 1 hr / wheel-end for CORRECTIVE ACTION #1, plus Shop Supplies & Hub Cap Gasket cost.
   • 4 hr / wheel-end for CORRECTIVE ACTION #2, plus Shop Supplies & Hub Cap Gasket cost.
3. Service Provider will fill in all fields on the Trailer Inspection Checklist.pdf and then submit to AXN per the instructions on the checklist, along with the final Service Provider Repair Invoice.

4. Bills are payable by Company to Service Provider within 30 days of the receipt date of Invoice.
5. Any Questions, or Repairs or Fees OUTSIDE of the scope of Inspection Procedures will need to be discussed with AXN Heavy Duty by emailing inspection@axnheavyduty.com or calling the Support Number at (502) 882-9115.

 

AXN Heavy Duty
inspection@axnheavyduty.com
502.882.9122

---

ACTION PLAN: Pro-Torq Retaining Clip (Keeper) Inspection

August 29, 2018 RevC

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCRIT-18E088-2590.pdf

 

---

Trailer Inspection Checklist – Pro-Torq Snap Ring

08.29.2018-RevC

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCRIT-18E088-9275.pdf

 

---

Agreement for Allowable Standard Repair Times (SRT) for Pro-Torq Inspection Program

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RMRP-18E088-5687.pdf

 

---

Manufacturer Notice

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCMN-18E088-5788.pdf

 

---

Recall Acknowledgement

September 25, 2018

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2018/RCAK-18E088-5544.pdf

 

---

 

Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

---

 

This product presentation was made with AAWP plugin.