TRW Automotive

Commercial Steering Systems

HFB Steering Gear

Service Manual
HFB70 SERIES

Die Cut
HFB70 Integral Hydraulic Power Steering Gear
This steering gear was specifically designed for motor trucks; new design features and our design
experience with previous models of integral hydraulic power steering gears have been combined
into this new product.

5 3

6 4

1
2

Design Features
1. Rotary Valve - This device provides responsive steering • Balanced Area Cylinder - Back pressures cannot affect
control steering stability

2. Precision Roller Bearings - Allow the steering gear to • High Temperature Seals - These specially developed seals
operate with high efficiency and reversibility may be operated intermittently at 300°F (148.9°C)

3. Unloading Valves - Furnish power steering pump • Manual Steering Capability - Provides for steering control in
protection and reduce pressure to unload steering linkage the event of hydraulic failure
at the ends of steering gear travel
• Compactness - Lowest weight to output torque ratio in the
4. Recirculating Balls - Combines high mechanical efficiency industry
with smooth operation
• Auxiliary Porting Available - For auxiliary cylinder control
5. Dirt and Water Seals - Lip type seals on both input and
output shafts • Seal Protectors - Provide protection from harsh environment

6. Torsion Bar - Provides positive valve centering with

definitive “feel of the road”
Definitions
NOTE: A NOTE gives key information to make procedures easier or clearer.

CAUTION: A CAUTION refers to those procedures which must be followed to

avoid damage to the gear.

WARNING: A WARNING REFERS TO THOSE PROCEDURES WHICH MUST BE

FOLLOWED FOR THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER AND THE PERSON
INSPECTING OR REPAIRING THE GEAR.

Disclaimer
This Service Manual has been prepared by TRW Ross Gear Division for reference and use by
mechanics who have been trained to repair and service steering components and systems on
heavy commercial vehicles. TRW Ross Gear Division has exercised reasonable care and diligence
to present accurate, clear and complete information and instructions regarding the techniques
and tools required for maintaining, repairing and servicing the complete line of TRW Ross Gear
HFB70 Integral Power Steering Gears. However, despite the care and effort taken in preparing this
general Service Manual, TRW makes no warranties that (a) the Service Manual or any explanations,
illustrations, information, techniques or tools described herein are either accurate, complete or
correct as applied to a specific HFB70 steering gear, or (b) any repairs or service of a particular
HFB70 steering gear will result in a properly functioning steering gear.

If inspection or testing reveals evidence of abnormal wear or damage to the HFB70 steering gear
or if you encounter circumstances not covered in the Manual, STOP - CONSULT THE VEHICLE
MANUFACTURER’S SERVICE MANUAL AND WARRANTY. DO NOT TRY TO REPAIR OR SERVICE
AN HFB70 STEERING GEAR WHICH HAS BEEN DAMAGED OR INCLUDES ANY PART THAT SHOWS
EXCESSIVE WEAR UNLESS THE DAMAGED AND WORN PARTS ARE REPLACED WITH ORIGINAL
TRW REPLACEMENT AND SERVICE PARTS AND THE UNIT IS RESTORED TO TRW’S SPECIFICATIONS
FOR THE HFB70 STEERING GEAR.

It is the responsibility of the mechanic performing the maintenance, repairs or service on a particular
HFB70 steering gear to (a) inspect the steering gear for abnormal wear and damage, (b) choose a
repair procedure which will not endanger his/her safety, the safety of others, the vehicle, or the
safe operation of the vehicle, and (c) fully inspect and test the HFB70 steering gear and the vehicle
steering system to insure that the repair or service of the steering gear has been properly performed
and that the steering gear and system will function properly.

This TRW Ross Gear Division vehicle power steering gear is covered by one or more of United States
patent numbers: 3,896,702; 3,606,819; 3,741,074; 3,773,081; 3,955,473; 3,935,790; and 3,921,669.
Other United States patent applications are pending, and corresponding foreign patents are pending
and issued.

©TRW INC 1989

1
Final Adjustment TIMING MARK

center steering 1. To center the steering gear, rotate worm shaft/input shaft (16)
gear until the timing mark on the end of sector shaft (48) is
perpendicular to the worm shaft/input shaft. SEE FIGURE 161. A
12 point box end or socket wrench required.

NOTE NOTE: Initial worm preload adjustment was

accomplished in assembly procedure 44, page 46,
Figure 161
before assembly of sector shaft (48).

tighten adjusting 2. Tighten sector shaft adjusting screw (49) to provide 25 to

screw 30 in.lbs. (2.8 to 3.4 N m) of torque required to rotate the worm
shaft/input shaft (16) through 180° each side of center.
SEE FIGURE 162

NOTE NOTE: This procedure will properly mesh and seat

the rack piston teeth and sector shaft teeth for final
adjustments.

loosen adjusting 3. Loosen sector shaft adjusting screw (49) one turn and note
screw and note maximum torque required to rotate the worm shaft/input shaft
torque (16) through 180° each side of center.

adjust adjusting 4. Adjust sector shaft adjusting screw (49) to increase maximum
screw torque noted in procedure #3 by 2 to 4 in. lbs. (.23 to .45 N m).
Torque jam nut (58) using a 3/4 inch socket, to 40 to 45 ft. lbs. (54
to 61 N m) and check worm shaft/input shaft torque again. Figure 162
Re-adjust if worm shaft/input shaft torque exceeds 20 in. lbs.
(2.3 N m).

adjust worm 5. Adjust worm shaft/input shaft adjusting screw (38), a 5/16 inch
shaft/input shaft Allen wrench or screwdriver required, to increase maximum worm
adjusting screw shaft/ input shaft (16) torque noted in procedure #4 by 10 to
15 in. lbs. (1.1 to 1.7 N m). Torque sealing nut (39) to 70-80 ft. lbs.
(95-108 N m) using a 1-1/16 inch socket and check worm shaft/
input shaft torque again. Readjust if worm shaft/ input shaft
torque exceeds 35 in. lbs. (4.0 N m). SEE FIGURE 163.

This completes the final adjustments of the HFB70 gear to be made

before it is installed into the vehicle’s steering system. Install the gear
by following instructions in the vehicle shop manual. Then follow the
succeeding sections of this service manual (HFB70) on “HYDRAULIC
FLUID” and “FILLING AND AIR BLEEDING THE SYSTEM” which also
includes instructions for adjustment of the optional adjustable poppet
valve. Figure 163

49
 Hydraulic Fluid
The steering system should be kept filled with one of the following fluids:

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID TYPE “E” or “F”

FORD SPEC. M2C138CJ
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID DEXRON 11
SHELL ROTELLA T...................................................................................SAE 30
MOBIL .............................................................................................SAE 10W30
ASHLAND .......................................................................................SAE 10W40
UNION.............................................................................................SAE 10W40
TEXACO...........................................................................................SAE 10W40
TEXACO...........................................................................................SAE 15W40
MOBIL .............................................................................................SAE 10W40
UNICAL GAURDOL .........................................................................SAE 15W40
UNICAL GAURDOL .................................................................................SAE 30
ESSOLUBE.......................................................................................SAE 15W40
CHEVERON .....................................................................................SAE 15W40
EMERY FRIGID-GO-OW-02 SYNTHETIC

WARNING: COMPLETELY FLUSH THE STEERING SYSTEM WITH ONE OF THE RECOMMENDED
FLUIDS ABOVE ONLY. DO NOT MIX OIL TYPES. ANY MIXTURE OR ANY UNAPPROVED OIL COULD
LEAD TO SEAL DETERIORATION AND LEAKS. A LEAK COULD ULTIMATELY CAUSE THE LOSS OF
FLUID, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST.

Filling and Air Bleeding the System

CAUTION: For steps 1 and 2, do not turn the steering wheel. Otherwise,
air may be induced into the system.

1. Fill the reservoir nearly full. Crank the engine for 10 seconds without, if possible, allowing
it to start. If the engine does start, shut it off immediately. Check and refill the reservoir.
Repeat at least three times, each time checking and refilling the reservoir.

CAUTION: Do not allow the fluid to drop significantly or run out of the
reservoir. This may induce air into the system.

2. Start the engine and let it idle for 2 minutes. Shut the engine off and check the fluid level
in the reservoir.

3. Start the engine again. Steer the vehicle from full left to full right turn several times.
Add fluid, as necessary, to the fill line on the dipstick.

NOTE: Poppets, if equipped on the gear, must be adjusted so that they

relieve pressure at full left and right turns to aid in the removing of air
from the system. At this time, make sure any poppets are properly adjusted.
If they are not, adjust them in accordance with section 4 (page 18) and repeat step 3.

The above procedures should remove all the air from the steering system, unless the gear is mounted
in an inverted position and is equipped with the manual bleed screw (l9A). SEE FIGURE 160, Page 48.
If this is so, refer to step 4.

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4. Remove the air from a gear mounted in an inverted position and equipped with a manual
bleed screw (l9A) by following steps 1, 2 and 3 above. Then, with the engine idling, steer
the gear from full left turn to full right turn several times. With the steering gear in neutral
(no steering action), loosen the manual bleed screw about one turn, allowing air and
aerated fluid to “bleed out” around the bleed screw until only clear (non aerated) fluid is
bleeding out then close the bleed screw. 5/16 inch socket required. Check and refill reservoir.

Repeat this procedure 3 or 4 times starting with the steering maneuver with bleed screw
closed, until only clear (non aerated) fluid is discharged when bleed screw is loosened.
Torque the manual bleed screw to 27-33 in. lbs. (3.1-3.7 N m). Check and refill reservoir

CAUTION: Do not turn steering wheel with bleed screw loosened as this
could induce air into the system.

Warnings for Proper Steering Gear Operation

WARNING: DO NOT WELD, BRAZE, OR SOLDER ANY STEERING GEAR OR
SYSTEM ARM COMPONENTS.

WARNING: MAXIMUM FLOW UNDER ANY CONDITIONS MUST NOT

EXCEED 8 GPM (30 LITERS/MIN).

WARNING: MAXIMUM OPERATING PRESSURE MUST NOT EXCEED 2000 PSI

(137.9 BAR).

WARNING: ALWAYS CAREFULLY INSPECT ANY STEERING COMPONENT

WHICH HAS BEEN (OR IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN) SUBJECTED TO
IMPACT. REPLACE ANY DAMAGED OR QUESTIONABLE COMPONENT.

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Steering System Maintenance Tips
- Prevent internal bottoming of the steering gear. Carefully check axle stops to be sure that
they meet the manufacturer’s specifications. -Regularly check the fluid and the fluid level in
the power steering reservoir.

- Keep tires inflated to correct pressure.

- Always use a puller, never a hammer or torch, to remove pitman arms.

- Investigate and immediately correct the cause of any play, rattle, or shimmy in any part of
the steering linkage or steering mechanism.

- Remove the cause of steering column misalignment.

- Encourage all drivers to report any malfunctions or accidents that could have damaged
steering components.

- Do not attempt to weld any broken steering component. Replace the component with original
equipment only.

- Do not cold straighten, hot straighten, or bend any steering system component.

- Always clean off around the reservoir filler cap before you remove it. Prevent dirt or other
foreign matter from entering the hydraulic systems. -Investigate and correct any external leaks,
no matter how minor.

- Replace filters and pumps in compliance with specification.

- If extended stationary use of vehicle is developing excessive hydraulic fluid temperatures

consult vehicle manufacturer for auxiliary cooling method.

- Maintain grease pack applied behind the input and output shaft’s dirt and water seal and
seal protector as a general maintenance procedure. Grease fitting provided in output shaft
seal protector.

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TRW Automotive
Commercial Steering Systems
800 Heath Street
Lafayette, IN 47904
Tel 765.423.5377
Fax 765.429.1868
http://www.trw.com/commercialsteering

© TRW Inc. 2000 TRW1109 Rev. 3/00