TRUCK SERVICE MANUAL
SPRINGS
c.
On vehicles with split-ring type bushing adapters,
REPAIRS
Fig. 6, a wrench is not required to hold the bolt nut.
Place a bar between lugs projecting from adapter
Most repairs to the suspension system consist of
and use a wrench on bolt head.
replacing worn or damaged parts. Rebuilding and
6. Using roller jack, remove axle assemblies.
rebushing of leaf type springs are standard procedures
7. Support ends of equalizer beams and remove beam
as covered in "Springs," General Section, CTS-2119.
center bushing retainer caps from saddles. Remove
The major item which will concern the serviceman is
equalizer beams and cross tube.
removal and replacement of the rubber bushings.
8. Separate equalizer beams from cross tube. Remove
While the bushings have long life and replacement
sealing compound or pipe plug from hole in outer
will be limited, they can be replaced if damaged or
end of beam center sleeve to break vacuum which
deteriorated. Special service tools for performing this
may exist between center sleeve and cross tube.
task are available and though recommended are not
absolutely necessary. If press equipment is available,
9. Remove saddle assemblies:
standard steel tubing having diameters to match the
bushing sleeves (metal bands surrounding rubber
(Leaf Spring Type)
bushings) can be used as adapters for removing and
installing the bushings (see Adapter Chart). Press
a. Support spring and saddle assembly on floor jack.
pressures required to remove the bushing and sleeve
Loosen locknut on spring pin draw key. Back off nut
assemblies will generally be between 31 and 45 Mg (35
sufficiently to protect draw key threads, then strike
and 50 tons).
nut with soft hammer to loosen draw key. Remove
Suggested procedures for replacing the various
draw key and drive spring pin out of spring and
bushings are outlined below:
spring bracket. Lower spring and saddle assembly
from frame and remove from jack.
REPLACING EQUALIZER BEAM BUSHINGS
CAUTION
b. Loosen spring aligning set screws. Remove bolts
When replacing equalizer beam bushings only the
and nuts spring top pad to spring saddle. Remove
procedures outlined in this manual section should be
spring pad and top pad slide. Remove spring from
exercised.
saddle.
Welding, torching, drilling, tapping or attaching
material to the equalizer beam must never be performed
as such practice can result in equalizer beam failure.
Equalizer beams are constructed of aluminum or nodular
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
iron, metals which can easily become brittle with heat at
quite low temperatures.
Clean all dirt from suspension parts and inspect all
When replacing equalizer beam bushings the
parts carefully for cracks or damage.
equalizer beams should be thoroughly inspected to
ascertain if they have been heated, if cavities have been
the vehicle has been in service for a long time, it is
produced or otherwise damaged by improper servicing
advisable to replace all bushings.
and if so, replace any components which are
questionable.
(Equalizer Beam Removed)
Removing Equalizer Beam End Bushing
1. Cut off rubber bushing flush with equalizer beam, as
shown in Fig. 7. Rubber must be removed to permit
adapter to contact bushing sleeve squarely.
2. Remove bushing set screw, if used.
3. Support beam in press. Using a piece of standard
tubing (which will contact the bushing sleeve) as an
adapter, press the bushing from the beam. See Fig.
8.
615