Instructions: How to replace basic SPARE PARTS for Sinotruk trucks 

Straight answer: How to quickly and safely replace key truck components

Replacing main components on Sinotruk trucks requires strict adherence to the sequence of actions, the use of special tools and checking the compatibility of parts by catalog numbers, and not just by appearance. In our practice, more than 60% of cases of repeated breakdowns during the first month after repair are associated with improper tightening of fasteners or ignoring the condition of the mating surfaces. If you are a HOWO fleet owner or a service station manager, this manual will save you time and money by eliminating common mechanic mistakes. We'll cover replacing brake pads, engine filters and suspension components - operations that make up 80% of routine maintenance.

Before starting work, make sure you have access to originalSPARE PARTS for HOWOor certified high quality analogues. The use of cheap substitutes without certificates of conformity often leads to failure of expensive units such as gearboxes or fuel equipment. Jinan Metallid Auto LLC, based in the industrial center of Jinan, provides supplies of components that have passed multi-level quality control, which is critical for long-term operation of equipment in the harsh climatic conditions of Russia and the CIS.

Necessary tools and workplace preparation

The success of the operation depends 90% on preparation. Do not start disassembling until you have checked that you have everything you need. To replace the main components you will need:

• A set of socket and socket heads (range 10–32 mm), necessarily impact type for pneumatic tools.
• Torque wrench with a range of up to 600 Nm for wheel nuts and up to 200 Nm for engine components.
• A jack with a lifting capacity of at least 20 tons and safety stands (traces).
• Brake cleaner, high temperature copper grease and RTV sealant.
• A lint-free rag and a container for draining technical fluids.

Ignoring the requirement to use a torque wrench is the most common mistake. It is impossible to tighten the hub nut “by eye”: overtightening will lead to deformation of the studs and destruction of the bearing, and under-tightening will cause wheel runout and an emergency on the highway.

Step 1: Replace Brake Pads and Rotors (Safety First)

The braking system of Sinotruk HOWO trucks works under extreme conditions, especially when transporting heavy loads over mountain passes or on winter roads. The wear of the pads here occurs unevenly, and visual inspection through the inspection window often gives a false impression of the actual condition of the mechanism.

1. Fixing the car and removing the wheel.Place the car on a level surface, block the wheels of the opposite axle. Loosen the wheel nuts until the axle lifts. After installing the jack and safety stands, remove the wheel.Attention:never rely on the jack's hydraulics alone; We've seen cases where seal failures have caused the axle to fall on the mechanic's feet.
2. Disassembling the caliper.Clean the caliper area from dirt with a wire brush. Unscrew the guide pins. Remove the brake caliper and hang it on a wire from the frame to avoid damaging the brake hose from tension. Remove the old pads. At this stage, souring of the pistons or guides is often detected - if the finger does not move freely due to hand effort, it must be replaced or deeply cleaned and lubricated with a special paste.
3. Disk diagnostics and installation of new components.Measure the remaining thickness of the brake disc using a caliper. If the thickness is less than the minimum allowable (indicated on the end of the disk, usually at least 34-36 mm for HOWO front axles), the disk must be replaced. Wipe the hub seat until it shines - the presence of rust or dirt will cause the new disc to beat after only 500 km. Install new onesSPARE PARTS for HOWO, making sure they match your axle type (HanDe or Man Tech). Lubricate the back of the pads and guides with a thin layer of copper.
4. Assembly and pumping.Press the caliper pistons with a special tool (do not use a screwdriver to avoid damaging the seal). Place the caliper in place, tighten the guides to the torque specified in the manual (usually 180–200 Nm). After assembly, be sure to press the brake pedal several times until resistance appears so that the pads are pressed against the disc. Check the fluid level in the reservoir.

A common mistake with this procedure is using an all-purpose lithium grease instead of a specialized high-temperature paste. Conventional lubricant leaks when heated above 200°C, getting on the friction linings, which sharply reduces braking efficiency. In our practice, one of the clients encountered overheating of the axle and fire of the cargo precisely because of such “savings” on consumables.

Stage 2: Weichai Engine Maintenance (Filters and Belts)

Weichai engines installed on most Sinotruk models are sensitive to filtration quality and drive belt tension. Untimely replacement of filters leads to coking of the injectors and a decrease in the service life of the turbocharger.

1. Replacing the oil filter.Drain the used oil when warm (higher fluidity). Unscrew the old filter. Be sure to wipe the seating surface on the engine block with a clean rag - remnants of the old gasket will cause oil leakage under pressure. Lubricate the rubber seal of the new filter with fresh oil. Tighten the filter by hand until it makes contact, then tighten it an additional 3/4 turn.Important:Do not use a wrench to tighten it; this will deform the housing and may cause the filter to rupture under pressure.
2. Replacing fuel filters and removing air.On Common Rail systems, the absence of air is critical. Replace the coarse and fine filters. Before starting the engine, manually pump fuel using the pre-feed pump until the button feels firm. This will prevent the injectors from running dry, which is the main reason for their failure. If the engine stalls immediately after starting, it means there is air left in the system; the pumping procedure must be repeated.
3. Checking the air filter and belts.Remove the air filter element. Do not try to blow it with compressed air - this destroys the microstructure of the paper, and the dust passes further to the turbine. Replacement only. Check the tension of the serpentine belt of the generator and compressor. The deflection of the belt when pressed with a force of 10 kgf should be 10–15 mm. An overtightened belt kills the bearings of attachments, while a stretched belt causes slippage and overheating.

When choosing filters, focus not on price, but on the presence of manufacturer’s markings and quality of workmanship. Jinan Metallid Auto LLC supplies original filters and high-quality analogues, which are tested for compliance with throughput and filtration efficiency. Cheap counterfeits often have insufficient filter element area, which leads to a rapid increase in pressure drop and bypass mode, when dirty oil goes directly into the engine.

Stage 3: Diagnostics and repair of chassis and suspension

The suspension of Sinotruk trucks experiences enormous loads. The main enemy here is play in the connections, which over time leads to unstable control and uneven tire wear. Repair of springs and shock absorbers requires special attention to the condition of stepladders and bushings.

1. Defects of springs and stepladders.Raise the rear cart until the wheels are free. Inspect the springs for broken leaflets or dislodged center bolts. Check the tightness of the stepladders. The tightening torque must be at least 300–350 Nm. Weak stepladders allow the spring to “walk” relative to the bridge beam, which quickly destroys the seats. When replacing stepladders, use only new nuts with a self-locking effect.
2. Replacement of reaction rods and silent blocks.Play in the reaction bars is the cause of the rear axle wobbling. Remove the rod, press in new silent blocks. When installing, pay attention to the orientation of the marks (if any) or the position of the inner sleeve. Incorrect installation will create pre-stress in the rubber, and the part will fail after a couple of thousand kilometers. Use a soap solution to facilitate pressing, but avoid getting oil on the rubber joints.
3. Toe and camber adjustment.After any work on the steering or replacing elements of the front suspension, it is necessary to check the wheel alignment angles. For HOWO trucks, the front wheel toe-in should be in the range of 1-3mm. Violation of this parameter leads to the tread being “eaten up” within 10–15 thousand km, which is not economically feasible.

One of our partners in Siberia reported a case where failure to replace worn-out reaction rod silent blocks resulted in a broken mounting bracket on the frame. Repairing the frame cost 10 times more than timely replacement of consumables. Therefore, regular inspection of the chassis using a mounting blade to identify backlash is a mandatory procedure.

Table: Comparative characteristics of original and analog spare parts

Quality control and acceptance of work

Completing the installation is only half the battle. Correct acceptance guarantees safe operation. After replacing any components, carry out a test run and initial run-in.

• Visual control:Check for oil, fuel and air leaks at the connections. Make sure all guards are in place.
• Checking levels:Add technical fluids to the required level. Please note that after replacing filters, the oil level may temporarily decrease.
• Test ride:Ride 2-3 km at a leisurely pace. Check the operation of the brakes, the absence of extraneous knocks in the suspension and the response of the steering.
• Final stretch:After 50-100 km, be sure to check the tightening torque of the wheel nuts and critical suspension connections. Metal tends to “shrink” and the initial torque may weaken.

Document all work performed in the logbook. Indicate the date, mileage, replaced parts and their part numbers. This will help in the future to analyze the resource of spare parts and plan the budget for maintenance. If you are usingSPARE PARTS for HOWOfrom a reliable supplier such as Jinan Metallid Auto LLC, you can be sure that the characteristics meet the stated standards, but the human factor during installation remains decisive.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to distinguish an original Sinotruk spare part from a fake?

Pay attention to the quality of the packaging (the original always has clear printing and holograms), part markings (casting must be clean, without flash) and weight. Counterfeits are often lighter than the originals due to the use of cheap alloys. Also check for a QR code or serial number, which can be verified by an authorized dealer. In our company, each batch is accompanied by quality certificates, which eliminates the risk of receiving counterfeits.

Is it possible to mix different colors of antifreeze when topping up?

Absolutely not. The color of antifreeze indicates the chemical composition of the additives (silicate, carboxylate, etc.). Mixing incompatible types causes sediment to form, which clogs the radiator and pump, causing the engine to overheat. Drain the old fluid completely and flush the system with distilled water before adding new antifreeze recommended by the Weichai engine manufacturer.

What is the optimal oil change interval for Russian conditions?

Although the regulations may indicate 20–30 thousand km, in the conditions of the Russian winter, dusty roads and frequent downtime in traffic jams, we recommend reducing the interval to 10–15 thousand km. Severe operating conditions (and this is exactly what they are) require more frequent changes of lubricants to preserve engine life. Use oils with a viscosity appropriate for the temperature conditions in your region (for example, 10W-40 or 5W-40).

Why does the axle gearbox hum after an oil change?

The most common cause is using oil of the wrong viscosity or GL level. HOWO truck hypoid gears require at least GL-5 oil. Also, the hum may indicate wear of the differential or main pair bearings, which was masked by thick old oil. If the noise does not stop after warming up and changing the fluid to the correct one, troubleshooting the bridge is necessary.

Conclusion and recommendations of professionals

Replacing the main components of a Sinotruk truck is a process that requires not only technical competence, but also discipline. Every step, from tool selection to final tightening of the nuts, affects machine reliability and driver safety. Saving on the quality of spare parts or neglecting tightening torques is the path to equipment downtime and losses that will cover the pennies saved many times over.

We at Jinan Metallic Auto Co.,Ltd understand that for your business, downtime equals loss of money. That is why we have built logistics and quality control so that you receive only those components that will serve their service life honestly. Our team of engineers and logisticians is ready to help with the selection of complex components for HOWO, SHACMAN, FAW and other brands, ensuring transparency of the transaction and technical support at all stages.

Don't risk your fleet. Choose proven solutions and a professional approach. If you have any difficulties identifying a part or need an urgent order of original components, contact our specialists. We will provide fast delivery and compatibility guarantee.

Contact us todayto receive advice and calculate the cost of the necessary spare parts, taking into account your specific operation.