freightliner Argosy COE 2011 Maintenance Manual Download Page 93

Page: 93 / 193

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

Century Class

Trucks 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

Century Class Trucks Workshop Manual

for in-

structions.

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 32

of the

Century Class

Trucks 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

Century Class

Trucks Workshop Manual

for instructions.

Inspect the weld seams between the torque arm
tube and the shorter bushing tubes. If there are
cracks, replace the torque arm. Do not weld the
torque arm for any reason.

Inspect the rubber bushing ends. See

Fig. 3

. Re-

place the torque arm for any of the following rea-
sons:

•

if there are gaps between the rubber bush-
ing and the pin or outer steel sleeve;

•

if either bushing end contacts a torque arm
pin mounting bolt;

•

if there are cracks in the bushing;

•

if part of the rubber bushing extends be-
yond the outer circumference of the outer
bushing sleeve.

Block up the frame enough to take chassis
weight off the springs. Attempt to move the
equalizer up and down, using a pry bar between
the top of the equalizer and top of the equalizer
bracket; apply hand pressure only. See

Fig. 4

. If

movement at the center of the equalizer exceeds
1/8 inch (3 mm), replace the equalizer bushings.
See

Group 32

of the

Century Class Trucks

Workshop Manual

for instructions.

With the vehicle unloaded, attempt to move the
equalizer side to side, using a pry bar between
the equalizer and frame rail. Apply hand pressure
only. See

Fig. 5

. If clearance between the equal-

izer assembly and any frame component or fas-
tener is less than 1/8 inch (3 mm), replace the

f320465

11/27/95

Fig. 2, Direct-Acting Shock Absorber (front suspension

shown)

Suspension

Century Class Trucks Maintenance Manual, January 2016

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