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Hendrickson Suspension Systems Maintenance l578
Hendrickson Suspension Systems Maintenance l578
Hendrickson Suspension Systems Maintenance l578
TECHNICAL
PROCEDURE
TRAILER SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
SUBJECT: System Maintenance
LIT NO: L578
DATE: September 2001 REVISION: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 PERIODIC INSPECTION SCHEDULE . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Original-Installation Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . .8
FEATURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Daily Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
TRI-FUNCTIONAL® BUSHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 30-Day Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Rigid-Axle Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 90-Day Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Roll Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 QUIK-ALIGN® Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Soft Riding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Wheel End Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Load Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Durability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 SUSPENSION SYSTEMS MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . .8
Ride Height Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
RIDE HEIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Air Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Factors Affecting Ride Height . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Shock Absorber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Pivot Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
CENTER LIFT SUSPENSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 TRI-FUNCTIONAL BUSHING . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Suspension Suspension
Deck height
Suspension mounting surface
Frame-to-ground Frame-to-ground
Figure 1. Frame-to-ground-height
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Suspension Suspension
Deck height
Frame-to-ground Frame-to-ground
under load installed
Auxiliary air
suspension
Deck height
Suspension mounting
surface
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Center of axle
The correct suspension ride height must be
determined at each suspension location (Figure 3).
When ride height variations are required, contact the
Hendrickson trailer engineering department at 800- in Figure 6. Suspension travel
the United States or 800- in Canada to evaluate load
equalization capabilities.
TIRE CLEARANCE
FRAME DEFLECTION In selecting a suspension, the trailer’s tire clearance
Deflection of the trailer frame when loaded must be must be used to determine the maximum suspension
considered. Frame deflection will result in a jounce permitted by the trailer design. Hendrickson
suspension ride height different from the installed ride specifies that the tire clearance above the jounce
height. The correct suspension ride height must be requirement must include one inch for all HT and
determined at each suspension location (Figure 4). INTRAAX models (Figure 7). T series models require
When ride height variations are required, consult the two inches of tire clearance above the specified
Hendrickson Trailer Engineering Department to jounce requirement. A two inch clearance is specified
evaluate load equalization capabilities. between the trailer frame and inside tire inboard
sidewall. This will provide sufficient clearance to
FRAME-TO-GROUND HEIGHT (CENTER LIFT AXLES) allow for tire distortion and axle walk.
The height of the bottom of the trailer frame (or
suspension mounting surface) from the ground must
be determined at each suspension location (Figure
5). This dimension must provide the desired LOADED
deck height.
SUSPENSION TRAVEL
Hendrickson Trailer Suspension Systems uses these
terms to define suspension travel:
Ride height
Jounce: The maximum amount of upward axle
travel, from ride height toward the frame,
allowed by the suspension (Figure 6).
Center of axle Tire
Rebound: Maximum amount of downward axle
travel, from ride height toward the ground,
allowed by the suspension (Figure 6). Figure 7. Tire clearance
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Center of axle
When the actuating lever of the height control valve Variations in trailer deck height and, therefore, the
moves up, the valve opens and connects the air suspension ride height will cause the longitudinal
supply to the air spring. When the actuating lever movement of the trailer. When loading and unloading
moves down, the valve shuts off the air supply and the trailer, the changes in the load supported by the
opens the exhaust port to vent excess air from the air suspension will cause the deck height to change; this
springs. A check valve prevents the loss of air spring change results in the trailer moving away from the
pressure if the air supply fails. In the central position, loading dock. Unless the air is properly exhausted
air does not flow in or out of the air springs. from the air suspension, the above movement can
damage or collapse the trailer landing gear, as well
AIR DUMP VALVES as result in a potentially dangerous gap between the
Air dump (or exhaust) valves increase stability during trailer and the loading dock.
trailer loading and unloading, as well as prolong
component life. The valves can be controlled PERIODIC INSPECTION SCHEDULE
automatically, manually or by the use of an air-pilot The Hendrickson trailer air suspension requires very
valve. little attention. Your air suspension may well last the
life of the vehicle by using the information in this
When suspension air is exhausted, Hendrickson publication and other Hendrickson technical
trailer air suspensions limit the suspension up travel publications.
(jounce) by a rubber bumper located inside the air
spring. The air-spring bumpers adequately support
the rated suspension capacity with the suspension air
exhausted. Hendrickson approves using air dump
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Example: 11½ in. to the top of the axle with the To replace an air spring, follow these steps:
2½ in. equals a 14 in. ride height.
1. Exhaust all air from the suspension system.
4. Raise or lower the trailer as necessary, so it is at
the designed ride height. 2. Raise and support the vehicle in a safe manner.
5. Once the trailer is set to the correct designed ride 3. Unbolt the air spring.
height, set the HCV lever to the neutral (central)
position. 4. Disconnect air-supply lines.
6. Adjust the HCV linkage to fit between HCV lever 5. Replace the air spring.
and lower linkage attachment.
6. Bolt the air spring in place.
IMPORTANT: When adjusting the height control valve,
block the tire and release the trailer 7. Connect the air-supply lines.
brakes. The axle must rotate freely to
avoid a false reading. 8. Lower the trailer to the ground.
Some height control valves have very small openings 9. Supply air to the suspension system.
and a time delay of as much as 15 seconds. Allow
sufficient time for the system to react to the SHOCK ABSORBER
adjustment. The response time will appear to be Shock absorbers do not absorb shock, they absorb
lengthy, but be patient. energy to prevent suspension oscillation. Shock
absorbers are also used as rebound stops in most air
Once set to the designed ride height, test drive the suspensions. The shock absorber limits the stroke of
trailer. After the test drive, check the ride height to an air spring, which prevents the air spring from
assure an accurate adjustment. being pulled apart. In some severe service
applications, a shock strap or chain down stops are
Notice that the use of one height control valve added to additionally aid in limiting the stroke of an
removes the requirement for synchronization found air spring.
with most other air suspension systems. This feature
will save you time and expense in servicing your air To remove an air spring, follow these steps:
system.
1. Remove the end fasteners.
If you have any questions regarding the operation of
your Hendrickson trailer air system, contact the 2. Insert the new shock absorber.
Hendrickson technical service department at 800-
455-0043 in the United States or 800-668-5360 in 3. Secure with correct size locknut and bolts.
Canada.
4. Torque fasteners to specification.
AIR SPRINGS
Air springs will last almost indefinitely in most If your suspension has unique travel requirements,
applications. However air springs will fail quickly use only Hendrickson shock absorbers for
when rubbed, scuffed, or punctured. If an air spring replacements.
fails, the trailer will settle on the internal rubber
bumpers, so you can proceed to the nearest service CAUTION: Do not lift the trailer without the
facility at a lower speed. You should try to determine shock absorbers in place. If shock
the cause of a failure, so you can avoid a costly absorbers are not in place,
repeat of the problem. If you have questions about overextension of the air springs will
the cause of a failure, contact the Hendrickson occur. Damage may occur to the
technical service department at 800-455-0043 in the overextended air springs.
United States or 800-668-5360 in Canada.
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IMPORTANT: Hendrickson trailer air suspension a roll-stable suspension design that resists trailer
design requires the use of specific air lean independent of the air spring loading.
springs and shock absorbers. Only
components purchased from There are times when a problem seemingly in the
Hendrickson or a Hendrickson-approved area of the suspension is diagnosed as a failed
distributor can be used. Replacement bushing. Closer inspection typically reveals another
with other components may cause component or a faulty installation is the problem. If a
premature failures and void the problem is in the area of the suspension, refer to the
warranty. TROUBLESHOOTING section on page 11. If a failed
bushing is present, contact the Hendrickson technical
PIVOT CONNECTION service department at 800-455-0043 in the United
A correct pivot connection is crucial to the life of the States or 800-668-5360 in Canada.
suspension. The pivot fastener must continually
provide a sufficient clamp load through the bushing Rebushing of a suspension requires the use of a
to prevent premature suspension failure. bushing removal/installation tool and bushing kit,
containing the required components for rebushing.
Hendrickson trailer air suspension models come Contact Hendrickson for assistance. When rebushing
equipped with either a “Huck”-type fastener or a the suspension, refer to Hendrickson publication
conventional nut-and-bolt arrangement at this L427, Bushing Replacement Procedures, for
location. complete bushing replacement instructions.
“Huck”-type fasteners are installed using specialized IMPORTANT: Literature is also available for installing
hydraulic equipment. This fastener can only be the TRI-FUNCTIONAL BUSHING. Rebush
removed by cutting the fastener apart. using only the lubricant supplied in the
bushing kit by Hendrickson Trailer
Other factory-installed units are equipped with a nut Suspension Systems.
and bolt at the pivot connection. This arrangement is
also used when a field replacement is necessary. The
pivot bolts are torqued to 800 ft-lbs. The nut is tack
welded to the bolt threads to assure a permanent
connection.
TRI-FUNCTIONAL BUSHING
Hendrickson’s TRI-FUNCTIONAL BUSHING has unique
properties that will provide years of maintenance-free
service. The TRI-FUNCTIONAL BUSHING (located at
the suspension pivot connection) provides a resilient
connection that allows an axle to walk without
excessive flexing. The TRI-FUNCTIONAL BUSHING, in
conjunction with the rigid axle connection, results in
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IMPORTANT: Contact Hendrickson Technical Service Department at (330) 456-7288 for assistance.
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TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
Use these torque specifications when installing the fasteners covered below.
NOTE: Torque values are specified for the fasteners in the condition in which they are
supplied by Hendrickson. DO NOT APPLY ANY ADDITIONAL LUBRICANTS.
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www.hendrickson-intl.com
Trailer Suspension Systems Trailer Suspension Systems 866.RIDEAIR (743.3247) Trailer Suspension Systems
250 Chrysler Drive, Unit #3 2070 Industrial Place SE 330.489.0045 Av. Industria Automortriz #200
Brampton, ON Canada L6S 6B6 Canton, OH 44707-2641 USA Fax 800.696.4416 Parque Industrial Stiva Aeropuerto
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Fax 905.789.1033 (52) 81 8288 1300
Fax (52) 81 8288 1301
Information contained in this literature was accurate at the time of publication. Product changes may have been made after the copyright date that are not reflected.
L578 Rev A 09-01 © 2008 Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. (U.S. Rights) Hendrickson International Corporation (Rights Outside U.S.) All Rights Reserved Printed in United States of America