MATS, LOUISVILLE -- Truck owners seeking to help offset the pounds added with today's emissions systems can choose Dana's new E-Series or D-Series steer axles.

Dana says the E-Series steel-forged beam design cuts 35 pounds from the axle with no sacrifice in strength or the torsional stiffness needed for superior braking performance. The axles are targeted for on-highway, city delivery, and bus chassis applications with gross axle weight ratings from 10,000 to 13,200 pounds. They will be available in the first half of 2015.

“Fleets today are looking for innovations across the entire vehicle to reduce weight, fuel costs, and maintenance, but they will not allow safety, productivity, and durability to be sacrificed in the process,” said Pat D’Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “We have applied our global engineering resources to deliver new Spicer E-Series steer axles that support the highest levels of performance, offering fleets weight savings that increase efficiency and reduce the total cost of ownership.”

Spicer's new D-Series steer axles feature an integrated air disc brake knuckle that lets fleets specify air disc brakes with no net increase in weight over most S-cam drum brake axle systems. The D-Series are targeted to applications with gross axle weight ratings from 10,000 to 14,600 pounds.

By eliminating a separate torque plate and fasteners, the new IADB feature maximizes the integrity of the axle and brake system, eliminates up to 76 pounds from the steer axle assembly, and reduces vehicle assembly time, Dana says.

The new steer axles build on patented advancements used throughout Dana’s line of Spicer D-Series axles, including two-draw key king pin retention, tie rod end sealing, and a lightweight beam. These features work together to enhance durability, reduce maintenance, and improve alignment capability, the company says.

“Air disc brake popularity is on the rise,” said Pat D’Eramo, president of Dana Commercial Vehicle Driveline Technologies. “We are pleased to offer our customers the opportunity to improve the performance, maintenance, and safety of their vehicles without sacrificing payload and fuel economy.”