the Recreational Vehicle Chassis Workshop Manual
for instructions, or take the vehicle to an authorized
Freightliner dealer.
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.
IMPORTANT: On multi-leaf suspensions, closely
inspect each component of the leaf spring as-
semblies, including the brackets, U-bolts, and
related parts.
60-Inch Taper-Leaf Spring
Component Check
No lubrication is required on the 60-inch taper-leaf
spring front and rear suspension.
Inspect the rear shackle brackets for bushing wear or
cracks.
Inspect the stabilizer bar, if present, for irregular
bushing wear or cracks in the brackets. Check the
rubber helper spring, if present, for cracks.
32–06 Suspension U-Bolt
Torque Check
Check the U-bolt torque of both the front and rear
axles where applicable.
NOTICE
Failure to retorque the U-bolt nuts could result in
spring breakage and abnormal tire wear.
1. Park the vehicle on a flat surface, apply the park-
ing brake, and chock the tires.
2. Check the U-bolt torque in a diagonal pattern.
See
Fig. 6. Set a click-type torque wrench to the
highest torque value for the fastener being
checked. See
Table 3 for U-bolt torque specifica-
tions. Turn the wrench in a clockwise motion
(looking up) until the torque wrench clicks.
3. Remove the chocks.
U-Bolt Torque Values
Description Size
Torque:
lbf·ft (N·m)
Spring Assembly U-Bolt High Nuts
*
5/8–18
Stage 1: Hand tighten
Stage 2: 60 (81)
Stage 3: 200 (271)
Stage 4: 180 to 230 (244 to 312)
3/4–16
Stage 1: Hand tighten
Stage 2: 60 (81)
Stage 3: 200 (271)
Stage 4: 270 to 330 (366 to 447)
*
Tighten in the sequence shown in Fig. 6.
Table 3, U-Bolt Torque Values
32–07 V-Ride Rear Suspension
Inspection
Along with the specific V-Ride suspension instruc-
tions provided, all suspension components should be
inspected for wear or damage, and replaced if
needed. These components include:
• air spring
• air supply (pneumatic components)
• apex bracket
Suspension32
Recreational Vehicle Chassis Maintenance Manual, June 201532/6
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