32–01 Suspension Inspecting,
Freightliner Spring
Front and Rear Suspension Spring
Assemblies
Inspect the front and rear suspension spring assem-
blies for pitted, cracked, broken, or abnormally bent
leaves and extreme rust. If any of these conditions
exist, replace the spring assembly. See Group 32 of
the
School Bus Chassis Workshop Manual
for in-
structions.
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 oc-
cur. Failure to replace a damaged spring assembly
could cause an accident resulting in property
damage, serious personal injury or death.
IMPORTANT: On multi-leaf suspensions, closely
inspect each component of the leaf spring as-
semblies, including the brackets, U-bolts, and
related parts.
Rear Suspension Spring Brackets
Inspect the forward and rear spring brackets and the
wear pads, for wear, cracks, and other damage. If
any of these conditions exist, replace the damaged
bracket(s) and wear pad(s). See Group 32 of the
School Bus Chassis Workshop Manual
for instruc-
tions.
WARNING
Replace worn, cracked, or damaged spring brack-
ets. Failure to do so could result in bracket break-
age, possibly leading to loss of vehicle control
and resulting in personal injury or property dam-
age.
32–02 Suspension Lubricating,
Freightliner Spring
Front Suspension
Wipe all dirt from the grease fittings at the forward
spring pin and the spring shackle pins; then apply
multipurpose chassis grease with a pressure gun un-
til the old grease is forced out.
Rear Suspension
Single Axle
Lubricate the spring pin by applying multipurpose
chassis grease at the grease fitting. See
. Lu-
bricate with a grease gun until grease appears at the
base of the fitting.
32–03 U-Bolt Torque Checking,
Freightliner Spring
Check the U-bolt torque of both the front and rear
axles.
CAUTION
Failure to retorque the U-bolt nuts could result in
spring breakage and abnormal tire wear.
f320268a
10/05/94
Fig. 1, Forward Spring Bracket Spring Pin Grease
Fitting
Suspension
32
School Bus Chassis Maintenance Manual, March 2003
32/1