Meritor Inc. (NYSE: MTOR) announced at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week ’15 (HDAW) that it is creating a one-stop resource for wheel-end solutions by adding three new products.
With the introduction of the Doctor Preload® Bearing Adjustment Tools, Temper-Loc® spindle nuts from Temper® and Meritor® hubcaps, Meritor continues to reinforce its leadership in wheel-end solutions by broadening its robust portfolio of products. Meritor began the expansion last year when it introduced Meritor AllFit™ and brake chambers from TSE Brakes®.
“Customers have asked for greater single-source availability of products,” said Aaron Bickford, director, Brake and Wheel End for Meritor. “They can now buy wheel-end products from us that cover all of their needs.”
Wheel-End Management System
Meritor and Temper Axle Products Corp. of Fonda, New York have partnered to offer Doctor Preload and Temper-Loc spindle nuts for quick preload, or “tight” bearing adjustments on a variety of steer, drive and trailer axles. Proper preload settings improve the life of tires, bearings, spindles and wheel seals and decreases ABS faults.
When used together, the Doctor Preload bearing adjustment tool and the Temper-Loc single-lock nut system help fleets meet the SAE J2535 optimal bearing setting of a light preload. Preload settings maintain a slight force on all rollers in tapered roller bearings to minimize vibration and angular movement in wheel-ends.
“Meritor’s solution with the Temper Axle products is a cost-effective alternative to preadjusted hubs now on the market, Bickford said. “The ability to set a proper preload is critical to reducing fleet operating expenses and vehicle downtime,” he added. “Fleets already using the system are finding it to be a valuable addition to their maintenance practices.”
Doctor Preload is easy to use and requires minimal training. Qualified technicians can set proper preload on each wheel-end bearing with reliable and repeatable processes in less than one minute. It is backed by millions of hours of precision-load cell testing and hundreds of thousands of road miles.
“We created the Doctor Preload tool and Temper-Loc nut system in response to the all-too-common loose bearing setting or slight endplay, which we found leads to premature tire wear,” said Ray Piascik, vice president of Sales and Marketing, Temper Axle Products Corp. “Improved tire mileage is a compelling benefit, especially when it can be achieved with minimal added effort.”
Doctor Preload tools are covered by a 1-year warranty while Temper-Loc nuts are covered by a 3-year warranty from the date of installation.
