CDL steering axle inspection: tires, rims, suspension and brakes
- Steer tires: check pressure with a gauge, at least 4/32 inch of tread, no cuts, bulges or cords showing.
- Rims: no cracks, bends or welding repairs; lug nuts: none missing, no rust trails or shiny threads.
- Suspension: no missing, shifted, cracked or broken leaves; mounts, U-bolts and shocks secure.
Specific beats general
“Tires look good” scores nothing. “This is the steer tire. I check the pressure with a gauge, the tread is at least 4/32, no cuts, bulges or cords showing, and the valve stem has its cap” scores every point. The same goes for every item on the axle.
In the modernized test you usually inspect one axle, not all of them (Washington’s and Delaware’s manuals say so). Whatever axle you are given, the words are the same. What else changed in the modernized test.
Springs, mounts, U-bolts and shocks
What to say
- “These are the leaf springs.”
- “No missing, shifted, cracked or broken leaves.”
- “Spring mounts aren't cracked or broken, no parts missing.”
- “The U-bolts aren't broken, loose or missing.”
- “The shock absorber is secure, not damaged and not leaking.”
What the examiner listens for
- Names the leaf springs
- Not missing, shifted, cracked or broken
- Spring mounts secure
- U-bolts
- Shock absorber
Every steering axle item on the checklist
6 items. What to point at and what the examiner expects you to say about each.
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Tires | Names the steer tires · Pressure with a tire gauge · Tread depth 4/32 · No cuts, bulges, cords showing · Valve stem and cap Script in the app |
| Rims | Names the rim · Not cracked, bent or damaged · No welding repairs · Bolt holes not elongated Script in the app |
| Lug nuts | Names the lug nuts · All present · Not loose, no rust trails or shiny threads · Studs not bent, broken or missing Script in the app |
| Springs, mounts, U-bolts, air bags & shocks | Names the leaf springs · Not missing, shifted, cracked or broken · Spring mounts secure · U-bolts · Shock absorber Script and video |
| Brake lines or hoses & leaks | Names the brake hose / lines · Not cracked, worn or frayed · Couplings and fittings secure · No leaks Script in the app |
| Brake contaminates | Names the drum / linings · No grease or oil Script in the app |
Mr. Egg's 32 short video lessons cover the whole walk-around with the exact words for each item. Record yourself saying it back, then run a timed mock inspection scored by an AI examiner.
Get all the scripts in the appSee the whole walk-around: all 32 items on the CDL pre-trip checklist.