Safety Precautions; Suspension Inspecting - freightliner M2 Plus Maintenance Manual

Suspension
32–00 Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions in this section apply to all
procedures within this group.
DANGER
When working on the vehicle, shut down the
engine or motor, set the parking brake, and chock
the tires. Before working under the vehicle, always
place jack stands under the frame rails to ensure
the vehicle cannot drop. Failure to follow these
steps could result in serious personal injury or
death.
32–01 Suspension Inspecting
Freightliner Spring Front and
Rear Suspension Spring
Assemblies Inspection
Inspect the front and rear suspension spring
assemblies 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 Business Class® M2 Plus
Workshop Manual for instructions.
WARNING
Do not replace individual leaves of a damaged leaf
spring assembly; replace the complete spring
assembly. Visible damage (cracks or breaks) to
one leaf causes hidden damage to other leaves.
Replacement 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
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
assemblies, including the brackets, U-bolts, and
related parts.
Business Class M2 Plus Maintenance Manual, 02/10/2023
Freightliner Spring Rear
Suspension Spring Brackets and
Equalizer Brackets (Tandems)
Inspection
Inspect the forward and rear spring brackets,
equalizer brackets (tandems), 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 Business Class®
M2 Plus Workshop Manual for instructions.
WARNING
Failure to replace the forward spring brackets,
equalizer brackets, or rear spring brackets if they
are worn, cracked, or otherwise damaged could
result in progressive damage to and eventual
breakage of the bracket. This could cause a loss
of vehicle control resulting in property damage,
serious personal injury or death.
Freightliner Spring Tandem Axle
Suspension Crossmember and
Gussets Inspection
Inspect the tandem-axle frame crossmember and
gussets for wear, cracks, and other damage. If any of
these conditions exist, replace the damaged parts.
See Group 31 of the Business Class® M2 Plus
Workshop Manual for instructions. Check all
fasteners for tightness. See Group 00 of the
Business Class® M2 Plus Workshop Manual for
torque values.
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.
Freightliner Spring Shock
Absorber Check
NOTE: Shock absorbers are optional on spring
suspensions.
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