freightliner 108SD 2021 Driver Manual Download Page 78

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32–00 Safety Precautions

Safety Precautions in this section apply to all
procedures within this group.

DANGER

When working on the vehicle, shut down the en-
gine or motor, set the parking brake, and chock
the tires. Before working under the vehicle, always
place jack stands under the frame rails to ensure
the vehicle cannot drop. Failure to follow these
steps could result in serious personal injury or
death.

32–01 Suspension Inspection

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

of the

108SD and 114SD Workshop Manual

for

instructions.

Shock Absorber Check, Front
and Rear Suspensions

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. Check
the rubber mounting bushings for cracks, cuts, swell-
ing, 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

108SD and 114SD

Workshop 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.

Inspect the forward and rear spring brackets and
equalizer brackets for wear, cracks, and other
damage. If any of these conditions exist, replace
the damaged bracket(s). See

Group 32

of the

108SD and 114SD Workshop Manual

for instruc-

tions.

Inspect the tandem-axle frame crossmember and
gussets for wear, cracks, and other damage. If
any of these conditions exist, replace the dam-
aged parts. See

Group 31

of the

108SD and

114SD Workshop Manual

for instructions.

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.

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-
placed, see

Group 32

of the

108SD and 114SD

Workshop Manual

for instructions.

Suspension

108SD and 114SD Maintenance Manual, September 2015

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