32–01 Suspension Inspecting
Front Suspension Check
WARNING
Do not replace individual leaves of a damaged leaf
spring assembly; replace the complete spring as-
sembly. Visible damage (cracks or breaks) to one
leaf causes hidden damage to other leaves. Re-
placement of only the visibly damaged part(s) is
no assurance that the spring is safe. On front
spring assemblies, if cracks or breaks exist in the
two top leaves, a loss of vehicle control could
occur. Failure to replace a damaged spring assem-
bly could cause an accident resulting in property
damage, serious personal injury, or death.
Inspect the front spring assemblies for cracked, bro-
ken, or abnormally bent leaves. If any of these condi-
tions exist, replace the spring assembly. See Group
32 of the
Heavy-Duty Trucks Service Manual
for
instructions.
Front and Rear Suspension
Shock Absorber Check
Make sure the shock absorber brackets are tight,
and the shock absorber is not striking or rubbing the
frame or some other part of the chassis. Striking or
rubbing the frame is characterized by chafe marks on
the shock absorber body and the frame rail. See
Fig.
1
. Check the rubber mounting bushings for cracks,
cuts, swelling, and dry rot. Also, check the bushings
for missing pieces. Replace the bushings as needed.
Inspect the shock absorber for oil leakage. If the
shock absorber is damaged or leaking, replace it with
a new one. See Group 32 of the
Heavy-Duty Trucks
Service Manual
for replacement instructions.
Rear Suspension Check
Freightliner Spring Suspension
WARNING
Do not replace individual leaves of a damaged leaf
spring assembly; replace the complete spring as-
sembly. Visible damage (cracks or breaks) to one
leaf causes hidden damage to other leaves. Re-
placement of only visibly damaged parts is no as-
surance that the spring is safe. Failure to replace
a damaged spring assembly could cause an acci-
dent, resulting in serious personal injury or prop-
erty damage.
Replace worn, cracked, or damaged spring
brackets. Failure to do so could result in bracket
breakage, possibly leading to loss of vehicle con-
trol and resulting in personal injury or property
damage.
1.
Inspect the forward and rear spring brackets and
equalizer brackets for loose fasteners, wear,
cracks, and other damage. If any of these condi-
tions exist, replace the damaged bracket(s). See
Group 32 of the
Heavy-Duty Trucks Service
Manual
for instructions.
2.
Inspect the tandem-axle frame crossmember and
gussets for loose fasteners, wear, cracks, and
other damage. If any of these conditions exist,
replace the damaged parts. See Group 32 of the
Heavy-Duty Trucks Service Manual
for instruc-
tions.
NOTICE
Failure to replace the suspension crossmember or
gussets if they are cracked, worn, or otherwise
damaged could result in damage to the vehicle
chassis.
3.
Without detaching the torque arms, attempt to
move (by hand) each radius-rod end up, down,
in, and out. If there is any movement, replace the
torque arm. If a torque arm needs to be re-
f320465
11/27/95
Fig. 1, Direct-Acting Shock Absorber (front suspension
shown)
Suspension
32
32/1