Beating the Blitz: Highway patrol shares inspection tips ahead of CVSA Roadcheck blitz

Note: This is the first in a multi-part series that will publish in advance of this year’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck blitz from June 4-6. 

Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) Trooper Bobby Simmons is hunched over in the inspection pit at the Sneads weigh station on I-10 as he grabs the Freightliner’s steering tie rod and checks it for a tight fit. He inspects tie rod bolts, steering arm ball joints, drag link and cotter pins next.

For Simmons, a former mechanic, the work is second nature. He’s one of 255 truck inspectors statewide that will be busy checking trucks during this year’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck blitz from June 4-6. This year’s inspections center on steering and suspension.

Given all the moving parts in a steering system, such as U-joints, gear box, Pitman arm, and tie rods, the key is knowing tolerances for movement.

“Occasionally, you will find a loose steering gear box or Pitman arm,” says Simmons who’s been inspecting trucks for the past 10 years. “You can have movement in it – rotational movement, which is normal. But if you have any vertical movement, more than 1/8^th of an inch, it’s going to be an out of service.”

Simmons inspection also takes him topside where he lifts the hood to examine additional steering components and check for fluid leaks. As he did earlier when assessing steering components under the truck, Simmons asks the driver to move the steering wheel.

“Driver, I need you to rock your steering wheel back and forth. Little bit more. Little more force,” he says while looking over the steering shaft and U-joints that slowly twist back and forth.