Sterling Trucks Acterra MX - Manual (Page 74)

60-Inch Taper-Leaf Spring
Component Check
No lubrication is required on the 60-inch taper-leaf
spring 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.
Freightliner AirLiner Component
Clearance Checking
Check that the air line support brackets are posi-
tioned so the air lines do not rub against anything.
Reposition any configurations that could contact and
result in friction and wear. There must be at least 1
inch (25 mm) clearance around the rubber air spring
when inflated. If the clearance is less than 1 inch (25
mm), relocate the obstructing parts.
CAUTION
Failure to relocate obstructing parts could result
in damage to the air spring.
Freightliner AirLiner Component
Inspecting and Operation
Checking
WARNING
Inspect the components and check their operation
as described below. Failure to perform these in-
spections and checks could result in separation of
worn suspension components and loss of vehicle
control, possibly causing personal injury or death,
or property damage.
1. Chock the front tires. Raise the rear of the ve-
hicle so the tires just clear the ground and the
suspension is fully extended. Place safety stands
under the vehicle frame.
2. Squeeze all air springs to check for complete
deflation. If any air springs remain partially or
fully inflated, see Group 32 of the
Acterra ®
Workshop Manual.
3. Inspect each air spring for wear at its connection
to its pedestal. Replace any worn air springs; for
instructions, see Group 32 of the
Acterra ® Work-
shop Manual.
4. Inspect the shock absorbers for oil leaks and
worn rubber bushings. Replace the shock ab-
sorbers and/or rubber bushings if wear or dam-
age is noted. For instructions, see Group 32 of
the
Acterra ® Workshop Manual.
5. Remove the safety stands and lower the rear of
the vehicle to the ground. Run the engine until
air pressure of at least 100 psi (689 kPa) is
maintained throughout the system.
6. Check that all air springs are inflated. If the air
springs do not inflate, see Group 32 of the
Acterra
® Workshop Manual for possible causes
and corrections.
Freightliner AirLiner Control Rod
Checking
1. Without disconnecting the control rods, attempt
to move (by hand) each of the control rod ends
up, down, in, and out. If there is any movement,
examine the control rods for wear or damage.
Replace if necessary.
2. Inspect the rubber bushings for cracks or cuts.
f320023a 05/27/93
1
2
3
4
5
A
A. 1/8-inch (3-mm) Clearance
1.
Frame Fasteners
2. Frame Rail
3. Pry Bar
4. Equalizer
5. Equalizer Bracket
Fig. 4, Top View of the Equalizer
Suspension
32
Acterra Maintenance Manual, September 2002 32/3