Statutes, codes, and regulations
New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 16 - TRANSPORTATIONChapter 53A - BUS SAFETY COMPLIANCE OVERSIGHT, ENFORCEMENT, OUT-OF-SERVICE VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
Subchapter 3 - SCHEDULE OF VIOLATIONS AND APPLICABLE PENALTIES
Section 16:53A-3.7 - Steering mechanism

N.J. Admin. Code § 16:53A-3.7

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Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 17, September 3, 2024
Section 16:53A-3.7 - Steering mechanism
(a) The following is the violation, category and penalty pertaining to steering wheel free play:
1. When any of the values--inch movement or degrees--in the chart below are met or exceeded, vehicle shall be placed out-of-service. For power steering systems, engine must be running. This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 1,000. The following chart shall be adhered to in determining steering wheel freeplay, and is incorporated herein by reference.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY ALLIANCE
NORTH AMERICAN UNIFORM OUT-OF-SERVICE CRITERIA
STEERING WHEEL FREEPLAY CHART
Man. Sys.Power Sys.
Steering WheelMovementMovement *
Diameter30 degrees or45 degrees or
16 inches (41 cm)4 1/2 inches (11.5 cm)6 3/4 inches (17 cm))
(or more)(or more)
18 inches (46 cm)4 3/4 inches (12 cm)7 1/8 inches (18 cm)
(or more)(or more)
19 inches (48 cm)5 inches (13 cm)7 1/2 inches (19 cm)
(or more)(or more)
20 inches (51 cm)5 1/4 inches (13 cm)7 7/8 inches (20 cm)
(or more)(or more)
21 inches (53 cm)5 1/2 inches (14 cm)8 1/4 inches (21 cm)
(or more)(or more)
22 inches (56 cm)5 3/4 inches (15 cm)8 5/8 inches (22 cm)
(or more)(or more)
* For power steering systems, if the steering wheel movement exceeds 45
degrees before steering axle tires move, proceed as follows: Rock steering
wheel left to right between points of power steering valve resistance. If that
motion exceeds 30 degrees (or the inch movement values shown for manual
steering), vehicle shall be placed out-of-service.

(b) The following are the violations, categories and penalties pertaining to the steering column:
1. Any absence of U-bolt(s) or positioning part(s). This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.
2. Any looseness of U-bolt(s) or positioning part(s). This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 100.00.
3. Worn universal joint(s). This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.
4. Faulty universal joint(s). This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 100.00.
5. Repair-welded universal joint(s). This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 1,000.
6. Steering wheel not properly secured. This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 1,000.
(c) The following are the violations, categories and penalties pertaining to the front axle beam and all steering components other than steering column, including the hub:
1. Any crack(s). This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.
2. Any obvious welded repair(s). This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 1,000.
(d) The following are the violations, categories and penalties pertaining to the steering gear box:
1. Any mounting bolt(s) loose or missing. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.
2. Any crack(s) in gear box or mounting brackets. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.
3. Any obvious welded repair(s). This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 1,000.
(e) The following are the violations, categories and penalties pertaining to the pitman arm:
1. Any looseness of the pitman arm on the steering gear output shaft. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.
2. Any obvious welded repair(s). This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 1,000.
(f) The following is the violation, category and penalty pertaining to power steering:
1. Auxiliary power assist cylinder loose. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 300.00.
(g) The following are the violations, categories and penalties pertaining to ball and socket joints:
1. Any movement under steering load of a stud nut. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 300.00.
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. This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.
3. Any obvious welded repair(s). This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 1,000.
(h) The following are the violations, categories and penalties pertaining to tie rods and drag links:
1. Loose clamp(s) or clamp bolt(s) on tie rod or drag links. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 200.00.
2. Any looseness in any threaded joint. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 200.00.
(i) The following is the violation, category and penalty pertaining to nuts:
1. Loose or missing nut(s) on tie rods, pitman arm, drag link, steering arm or tie rod arm. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.
(j) The following are the violations, categories and penalties pertaining to the steering system:
1. Any modification that interferes with free movement of any steering component. This is a category 1 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 5,000.
2. Any other condition that interferes with free movement of any steering component. This is a category 2 violation. The penalty for this violation shall be $ 500.00.

N.J. Admin. Code § 16:53A-3.7