Ride Height; Spring And Damper Units - Cub Cadet 6X4 Shop Handbook

Chapter 4 - Front Suspension and steering
Ride height See Figure 4.6.
Figure 4.6
1. Prior to checking ride height, roll the vehicle
back and forth, bouncing it slightly to settle the
suspension.
2. Check front ride height on a firm level surface,
with the front seats and cargo box empty, and
the tires properly inflated.
3. Ride height, measured at the front bottom corner
of the frame should be 10" + 1/2" (25.4 +
1.25cm).
4. If ride height is not within specifications (mea-
sured with the bed empty and the seats unoccu-
pied), check the tire air pressure and the
condition of the spring and damper units.
NOTE: A low tire or broken spring anywhere on
the vehicle can effect the ride height at the front
of the vehicle.
A low tire or broken spring at the front or on the
same side at the back will lower ride height.
A low tire or broken spring at the opposite side
on the rear can actually raise the measured ride
height.
Spring and damper units See Figure 4.7.
Front spring
and damper
assembly
10"
•
•
•
•
126
Figure 4.7
Make a visual inspection for:
_Broken coils
_Leaking fluid from the damper
_Bent shaft
_Loose fasteners
Minor adjustments can be made to the front
spring rate and resultant ride height using a pur-
pose-built spanner ( Part# 759-04125) to rotate
the stepped lower spring perch.
If the ride height has fallen substantially on one
side or both sides, or if the damper is worn,
replace the spring and damper units.
NOTE: If a spring and damper unit is damaged
in a collision, or suffers from an unusually early
failure, the single damaged unit can be replaced.
If replacement is due to normal usage and wear,
the spring and damper units should be replaced
as an axle set (e.g.: both front, or both rear).
A bad damper will allow the suspension to
bounce continually in use, drastically accelerat-
ing fatigue and failure of the spring. Replace the
complete unit if either the damper or spring fail.