Content

Suspensions 2
Air Suspension Inspection/Maintenance 3
Leaf Spring Inspection 4
Most Common & Preventable Failures 5
Torque Rods 6
ATRO Free Rotation Design 11
ATRO Torque Rod Information Charts 12
Chalmers - 800 Series 14
Freightliner - FAS II 16
Hendrickson - Haulmaax 18
Hendrickson - HN 22
Hendrickson - Intraax/Vantraax 26
Hendrickson - Primaax 30
Hendrickson - RS 34
Hendrickson - RT 36
Hutch - H/CH 7700/9700 38
International - Corp Air/IROS 40
International - Z Air Spring 42
Kenworth - AirGlide 100 44
Kenworth - AirGlide 200/400 46
Kenworth - AirGlide 380/Peterbilt - Flex Air 48
Mack - Camelback 50
Peterbilt - Air Leaf 52
Peterbilt - Air Trac 53
Peterbilt - Low Mount Air Leaf 56
Peterbilt - New Low Air Leaf 58
High Temperature Underhood Mounts 60
Suspensions At A Glance 62

KEY
™™ Benefit
Tech Tip
►► Wear Item
Copyright © 2014 by ATRO Engineered Systems, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal
Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No
part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system
without express written permission from ATRO Engineered Systems, Inc.

ATRO is not liable for any errors herein.  All manufacturers’ names and part numbers used are
trademarked by the respective manufacturer.  These names and part numbers are being used
without permission.  No endorsement, affiliation or recommendation is implied.  They are included
for reference purposes only. 
Some products shown here are covered by Canadian Patent 1,327,979; Australian Patent 630,358.
- Page 1 -
 Suspensions
• A suspension is a SYSTEM that relies on all the components
working in harmony to perform their given function.
• When one part gets worn the rate of stress transfer to other
parts accelerates, so early detection of any wear will save big
$$ for the truck owner.

Suspensions are designed to:

• Carry the load
• Provide stability against side sway
• Transfer driving & braking forces between frame and axles
• Resist drive & brake torque wind-up
• Produce suitable riding and cushioning properties
• Maintain axle alignment parallel to each other and
perpendicular to the frame
• Provide minimum changes in drive axle pinion angles and slip
joint movement
• Minimize load transfer between axles on tandems
• Provide sufficient vertical movement on tandems to maintain
traction

Components making up the suspension system include:

• Leaf springs
• Air Springs
• Torque rods
• Bushings
• Spring Pins/Shackle kits
• U-bolts
• Shocks

- Page 2 -
 Air Suspension
Inspection/Maintenance
1.) Check for leaking air, or restricted air flow
a.) if both sides flat, there may be a leak between the air brake
system and the suspension air system.
b.) if flat on one side, there may be a leak between the height
control valve and the air spring.

2.) Check automatic height control valve – test it: disconnect

linkage and move actuating arm up and down to see if air bag
inflates/deflates.

3.) Check bushings – place pry bar between trailing arm and
hanger and check for movement. Abnormal tire wear is a
good indicator of bushing wear.

4.) Check shocks – should be warm to the touch after vehicle

operation.
a.) if cold, the shock is not functioning properly and should be
replaced.
b.) If shock can be easily compressed after removal, shock
should be replaced.
c.) Also, check for shock bushing wear.

5.) Check for under-inflation – slight positive pressure maintains

shape of airbag and prevents folding/pinching.

- Page 3 -
 Air Suspension
Inspection/Maintenance
6.) Causes of Air Spring Failure:
a.) Overextension
b.) Abrasion
c.) Contamination
d.) Suspension Misalignment
e.) Road Hazards
f.) Fatigue / Old Age

Leaf Spring Inspection

Check:
• Spring leaves
• Center bolt
• U-bolt nuts for tightness
• Spring clips
• Spring eyes (cracks, motion, lubrication)
• Front suspension spring shackle bolts
• Torque rods and all other related parts of spring suspensions:
Hangers, equalizers, beam bushings
• Shock absorbers

- Page 4 -
 Most Common & Preventable Failures
99 U-BOLTS
Never re-use U-bolts!!!!
Check they are the proper grade
Ensure properly aligned (check condition of top plate and saddle
alignment holes)
Allow suspension to settle, retorque while under load.
Torque U-bolts per spec – re-torque at 500 miles and check periodically

99 SPRINGS
Proper U-bolt maintenance will increase spring life but springs will
fatigue and wear.
Check for fatigue cracks.
One overlooked factor in spring longevity is brake balance. One badly
adjusted brake makes the other brakes overcompensate and the spring
at those axle ends will get “wound up” more than if all pulling equally.

99 TORQUE ROD NEGLECT

This affects spring life, bushings, brackets, bolsters, shocks, air bags and
other suspension hardware.
Check for failure periodically – especially transverse rods!

99 LUBRICATION FAILURES
Wear is accelerated; wear patterns are exaggerated; inhibits normal free
movement, resulting in part breakage.

99 BUSHING FAILURES
Waiting to replace worn bushings until after they’ve created a
secondary, more expensive problem.

99 SHOCK ABSORBER NEGLECT

This affects spring life, bushings and other suspension hardware not to
mention additional strain and vibration on radiators, electrical systems,
cabs and tires. Defective shocks can also contribute to air bag failure.
- Page 5 -
 Torque Rods

Purpose of a torque rod:

• Restrain rotation of the axle housing during acceleration and

braking
• Locate the axle and maintain alignment
• Control driveline angle
• Absorb leaning and cornering forces

Key technical point:

Transverse rods must be perpendicular to the frame rail when

installed. If not installed properly:

• The inner pin could break

• The torque rod could break
• The bushing could walk out of the rod
• Warranty may be void

When should rods be rebushed or replaced?

• Bent torque rod

• More than 1/8” movement at the rod eye. ™
Can check by hand or by prying against end with a bar
• Bushing material is torn or cracked
• Pin or sleeve in the rod eye is off-center (pin appears to be
“walking out” of rod eye)
• Pin/sleeve is no longer located in the vertical center of the rod
eye
• Bolt hole in straddle pins is stretched, elongated

- Page 6 -
 Restrain axle rotation Locate axle, ™
maintain alignment

Control driveline angle Absorb leaning, ™

cornering forces

Bushing material is torn or Bushing “walk out”

cracked
- Page 7 -
 ATRO’s Current Torque Rod Options
1.) OE direct replacement torque rods:
a.) Standard Eye
b.) Small Eye
2.) 2-piece torque rods
3.) Custom

1.) OE direct replacement torque rods, standard eye & small

eye
OE replacement rods-OE has dedicated part numbers for a
specific make/model Example – any KW AG400 uses a 19 ¾”
straddle/straddle torque rod. ATRO offers the TR59-41474.
a.) ATRO – 1 ½” shaft, forged eyes, holds 2 ¾” OD-sized
bushings - TS38000, TT38000, TM38000. (“standard eye”)
b.) ATRO – 1 ½” shaft, forged eyes, holds ATRO’s 2” sleeved
bushings ONLY - TS00-22500 & TH00-22500. (“small
eye”)

2.) Weld-to-length torque rods

Two-piece design, polyurethane, rebushable, available as
empty male/female cores also. Welded to finished length by
distributor or fleet.

3.) Custom torque rods

Customer specs the center-to-center length, bushing
configuration; assembled at factory and shipped finished to
customer.

- Page 8 -
- Page 9 -
OEM’s torque rod part numbering system

BUSHING BUSHING USED ANGLE INSTALLED

CODE Left Right Left Right
00 Straddle Straddle 0° 0°
01 Straddle Straddle 0° 10°
02 Straddle Straddle 10° 0°
03 Straddle Straddle 0° 15°
04 Straddle Straddle 0° 30°
05 Straddle Straddle 20° 20°
Bonded bushings have multiple part numbers for the same torque
rods to allow for bushing angle. ATRO’s free-rotation design
eliminates this excess inventory.

ATRO BUSHING USED ANGLE INSTALLED

PART NO. Left Right Left Right
TR00-41009 Straddle Straddle N/A N/A
TR46-41175 Straddle Straddle N/A N/A
TR59-41008 Straddle Straddle N/A N/A
TR62-41243 Straddle Straddle N/A N/A
TR75-41059 Straddle Straddle N/A N/A
ATRO’s free-rotation design allows the bushing to swivel 360°
eliminating angle problems and simplifying installation.

- Page 10 -
 ATRO’s Free-Rotation Design

™™ Reduces inventory levels and simplifies installation:

• No need to mark the old bushing position
• No struggle to line up the bolt holes
• Installs properly the first time, every time
• No duplicate inventory for identical rods with different bushing
angles

™™ Zeroes out to ride height:

ATRO’s design eliminates “bushing wind up” and automatically
zeroes out the bushing to proper ride height. This prevents
unnecessary stresses from being introduced into the suspension.
Please visit www.atrobushing.com to see the ATRO video on ride
height.

- Page 11 -
 WELD TO LENGTH COMPARISON
Brand Configuration Max Length Bushings Empty Core Option
ATRO 2-piece 27” Standard Yes
Ultra Rod Plus 2-piece 27” or 35” Standard Yes
Ultra Rod 2-piece 27” or 35” Jam (PL1146) No
O&S 3-piece 27” or 35” Non-rebushable No

ATRO REBUSH SELECTOR

- Page 12 -
Torque Rod Brand Mfr’s Bushings Rebush w/ ATRO
ATRO std. eye TS38000, TT38000, TM38000, etc. TS38000, TT38000, TM38000…
ATRO small eye TS00-22500, TH00-22500 only TS00-22500, TH00-22500 only
UltraRod Plus Conventional, “Bonded”, XTRB TS38000, TT38000, TM38000…
UltraRod Sleeveless rubber jam bushings PL1146, T*50-xxxxx (below*)
Non-rebushable Non-replaceable Non-replaceable
OE tubular, 1 7/8” eye Sleeveless rubber jam bushings PL1146, T*50-xxxxx (below*)
* See “ATRO Torque Rod Bushing Chart” below
 ATRO TORQUE ROD BUSHING CHART
ATRO p/n Type Rotates Replaces Notes
5/8” bolt holes, Original design, ™
PL1146 Straddle No OE tubular, UltraRod
straight body no outer sleeve
TS00-22500 Straddle Yes ATRO only Has outer sleeve
5/8” bolt holes, Preferred over
*TS50-22691 Straddle No OE tubular, UltraRod
wings anti-walk PL1146, no outer
Primaax/Firemaax,
*TS50-22210 Straddle No OE tubular, UltraRod ¾” bolt holes,
No outer sleeve
1 ¼” threads, ™

- Page 13 -
*TT50-22697 Taper No OE tubular, UltraRod No outer sleeve
8” OAL
1 1/8” threads, ™ Primaax/Firemaax,
*TT50-22809 Taper No OE tubular, UltraRod
6 5/8” OAL No outer sleeve
Primaax/Firemaax,
*TH50-22692 Hollow No OE tubular, UltraRod 7/8” bolt hole
no outer sleeve
TH00-22500 Hollow Yes ATRO only 7/8” bolt hole Has outer sleeve
 Chalmers 800 Series
ATRO load spring, LP19-24002
• Resistant to chemicals (lime, corrosive solvents, road wash)
• Better load handling and ride characteristics than OE rubber
and other polyurethane brands.

ATRO torque rod bushing options:

• 2-piece design – 32/suspension (PL1046, PL1047)
• 1-piece design – 16/suspension (TH19-22010, TH19-22128)
• Oversized options – PL1049 (2-piece); TH19-22129 (1-piece)

Tech tip: Change one rod at a time!

►► Wear items:
–– Load spring
–– Torque rod bushings

LP19-24002 PL1026 PL1046 PL1047

Load Shock Torque Rod Torque Rod
Spring Bushing Bushing Bushing

PL1049 TH19-22010 TH19-22128 TH19-22129

Torque Rod Torque Rod Torque Rod Torque Rod
Bushing Bushing Bushing Bushing
(oversized)
- Page 14 -
- Page 15 -
 Freightliner FAS II
The biggest concern with bonded bushings is the spring eye
opens up and the bushing can walk out:
▪▪ With a bonded OE-style rubber bushing, the pin is not allowed
to rotate, so the ENTIRE bushing can be forced to spin within
the eye of the spring thus leading to the wallowed out spring
eye. Bonded rubber bushings attempt to combat this with
an inboard flanged end encased in a ring with detents for
“gripping” the edge of the spring’s eye.
▪▪ With ATRO’s rotating bushing, the outer sleeve and urethane
rotate around the fixed pin.

ATRO design:
▪▪ Outer sleeved is flanged to limit lateral travel
▪▪ Inner pin rotates rather than entire bushing spinning

ATRO torque rod:

▪▪ one of three torque rod length options: OE direct replacement
rods TR46-41716, TR46-41316 or TR46-41002. The bushing
in these rods is a TS00-22500 – it will not fit OEM or other
aftermarket rods. ATRO’s TS50-22691, which has no outer
sleeve, can be used to rebush the OE rod or other aftermarket
rods.
▪▪ Inner pin rotates for easy installation – easy to align bolt holes
(TS00-22500).
▪▪ Rebushable

PB46-26268 PL1146 TS50-22691 TR46-41002

Pivot Bushing Torque Rod Torque Rod TR46-41316
(oversize Bushing Bushing TR46-41716
version Torque Rod
available)
- Page 16 -
- Page 17 -
 Hendrickson Haulmaax®
• Bar pin end bushings are used but there are no center
bushings for the beams to pivot on. The traditional center
bushing is replaced by 4 narrow bolster springs (8 per vehicle).

Transverse torque rod is critical

–– Check for wear periodically

Check bolsters for cracks/debonds

–– Replace if material cut 1” length or 3/8” in depth
–– Replace if bond separation is > ½” deep

• Polyurethane material impervious to chemical attack

►► The most common root causes of cracked or broken frame

brackets:
–– Vehicle is overloaded
–– Worn transverse torque rods
–– Frame bracket bolts/fasteners are loose
–– Auxiliary spring is worn
• The location of the debond may be a secondary failure and the
location of the debond can help locate the source of the root
cause.

Failure analysis:

LOCATION POSSIBLE PRIMARY FAILURE POINT

Debond at top plate Check torque rods for bushing failure
Debond at lower plate Check bar pin end bushings for failure

- Page 18 -
- Continued -
- Page 19 -
 Hendrickson Haulmaax®
Auxiliary spring is most important part!!!
• 3/8” or less gap for ATRO parts
• When measuring the gap, it is important to notice if the top
shim plate is worn in the middle of at the surface where
the auxiliary contacts it - the contact surface is where the
measurement matters.
• ATRO Technical Bulletin TB002-092012 “Evaluation/
Replacement of Auxiliary Spring and Spring Shim on
Haulmaax Suspension” outlines recommended practices and
required guidelines for this application and is available at ™
www.atrobushing.com under the “Documents” menu,
“Technical Bulletins” section.
►► INSTALLATION DATA/WEAR POINTS: The most critical
part in this suspension is the auxiliary spring. A new auxiliary
spring unloaded measures 3 3/8” at its maximum height and
should be replaced when its unloaded height is 3” or less.

EB50-21013 LP50-24179 LP50-24974

Bar Pin Bolster ™ Auxiliary
Bushing Kit Spring Kit Spring Kit

MS50-29794 TS38000 TS50-22691

Auxiliary Torque Rod Torque Rod
Shim Bushing Bushing

TT38000 TT50-22697 Torque Rod

Torque Rod Torque Rod Available any length or
Bushing Bushing 2-piece rods
- Page 20 -
- Page 21 -
 Hendrickson HN®
Bar pin end bushings are used but there are no center bushings
for the beams to pivot on. The traditional center bushing is
replaced by 2 large bolster springs (4 per vehicle).

Transverse torque rod is critical

–– Check for wear periodically

Check bolsters for cracks/debonds

–– Replace if material cut 3” length or 1” in depth
–– Replace if bond separation is >1 ½” deep

• Polyurethane material impervious to chemical attack

• The location of the debond may be a secondary failure and the

location of the debond can help locate the source of the root
cause.

Failure analysis:

LOCATION POSSIBLE PRIMARY FAILURE POINT

Debond at top plate Check torque rods for bushing failure
Debond at lower plate Check bar pin end bushings for failure

- Page 22 -
- Continued -
- Page 23 -
 Hendrickson HN®

EB50-21013 HS11000 LP50-24000

Bar Pin Jounce Bolster
Bushing Kit Stop Spring (2)

LP50-24974 TS38000 TT38000

Auxiliary Torque Rod Torque Rod
Spring Kit Bushing Bushing

TR71000 TR75000 TR76000

2-Pc Torque Rod 2-Pc Torque Rod 2-Pc Torque Rod
Female End Male End Male End

- Page 24 -
 Visit www.atrobushing.com
Click on Document/Product Spotlight
to view/download a copy of the ™
Hendrickson HN Product Spotlight

- Page 25 -
 Hendrickson Intraax/Vantraax
• These suspensions feature a “tri-functional” bushing. ™
The “tri” functions these bushings serve are to control three
road forces:
–– Vertical forces absorbed by bushing to reduce stress on axle
–– Horizontal movement during braking and acceleration
–– Roll stability to maintain control while turning/trailer
• The alignment function (Quik-Align) is provided by the OE
hardware pucks. ATRO’s bushing in replacement of the OE
bushing will still allow manipulation of the pucks to adjust
alignment.
• For PB50-36000, PB50-36100 and PB50-36914: The OE tri-
functional bushing is slightly larger on the OD than ATRO’s version
(about 1/8”). ATRO’s version is molded nearer to the installed
compressed size.

• For PB50-36321: The OE tri-functional bushing is significantly

larger on the OD than ATRO’s version (6 5/16” vs. 5 ½”). The
OE bushing is designed for considerable compression into the
beam housing. ATRO’s version is molded much nearer to the
compressed size.
• ATRO’s installation tools PT50-59307 (for TFII or ATRO’s
PB50-36914) and PT50-59736 (for TFIII or PB50-36321)
will install/remove OE bushing and/or ATRO bushing. Just
remove the alignment pins when installing/removing ATRO.
Conversely, the OE tool can be used to install/remove both OE
and ATRO; simply remove alignment pins from rear drive plate
before attempting ATRO installation/removal.
BSHG
ATRO P/N HARDWARE OE KIT (Bushing)
QTY
2 Wear washers, 2 flat washers, 1 bolt,
PB50-36000 1 S-24691 (TFII)
1 locknut
PB50-36100* 1 2 Wear washers S-24691 (TFII)

PB50-36914** 1 Alignment collars, bolt sleeve, bolt, nut A-6914 (TFII)

4 wear washers, 4 flat washers, 2 bolts,
PB50-36321 2 S-26321 (TFIII)
2 locknuts
*No exact OE cross reference. For ATRO customers who purchase hardware elsewhere.
**Older version. Original version before OE released Quik-Align had thicker bolts. Bolt
size is different than PB50-36000.
- Page 26 -
- Continued -
- Page 27 -
 Hendrickson Intraax/Vantraax
►► WEAR ITEMS: Tri-Functional bushing
–– Mode of failure: bushing tube spacers melt, inner sleeve
separated from rubber
–– Cause: excessive movement of suspension arm vertically
built up excessive heat
–– Check to see if tires are out of balance or if shocks have
failed.

PB50-36000 PB50-36100 PB50-36321 PT50-59736

Pivot Bushing Pivot Bushing Pivot Bushing Installation Tool
Kit Kit Kit (set of 2)
- Page 28 -
- Page 29 -
 Hendrickson Primaax
• Heavy-duty air suspension for vocational, severe-service and
heavy-haul applications. Is approved for use by the OE for
crane, dump, heavy-haul, logging, mining, ready-mix, oil field,
tanker trucks and garbage haulers.

• Multiple versions of this suspension. Variations in design are

usually in the shape of the hangers, length/location of the
shocks or unique air springs. Overall design idea is the same.

• ATRO offers a full complement of bushings and torque rod

options for Hendrickson’s Primaax. The pivot bushing, ™
PB50-26648, utilizes a low friction intermediate sleeve to ease
rotation and improve resistance to wear.

• The OE’s 58648-000 is used in Primaax, MaxAir and Twisted

Sister. Though the bushings are direct cross-references,
ATRO’s PB50-26648 is only for use in Hendrickson’s Primaax
suspensions (and its variations.)  

–– PB50-26648 has a simple instruction guideline in the

“Instruction Sheets” section under the “Documents” menu.

–– Product Spotlight PS001-010311NP shows ATRO’s full

Primaax replacement part line and is available in the
“Product Spotlights” section under the “Documents” menu
at www.atrobushing.com.

- Page 30 -
- Continued -
- Page 31 -
 Hendrickson Primaax
►► WEAR AREAS:
• Frame hanger attachment area becomes oblong
–– Usually caused by loose pivot bolt fasteners or overloading
–– Check transverse torque rods for wear, too
• Torque rods – bushing walks out of rod
–– Longitudinal rods
Check for improper alignment or worn bushings
• Transverse rods
–– Check for incorrect axle alignment, incorrect pinion angle,
incorrect frame hole location or axle bracket weld is off
–– Worn bushings

PB50-26648 SU50-29383 TH50-22692

Pivot Bushing D-Pin Bushing Torque Rod Bushing

TS38000 TS50-22210 TS50-22691

Torque Rod Bushing Torque Rod Bushing Torque Rod Bushing

TT50-22809 TR71000 TR75000

Torque Rod Bushing 2 Pc Torque Rod 2 Pc Torque Rod
Female End Male End
- Page 32 -
 Visit www.atrobushing.com
Click on Document/Product Spotlight
to view/download a copy of the ™
Hendrickson Primaax Product Spotlight

Visit www.atrobushing.com
Click on Document/Installation Sheets
to view/download a copy of the ™
Hendrickson PB50-26648 Installation Sheet

- Page 33 -
 Hendrickson RS®
• ATRO center bushings require thrust washers
• ATRO bushings have free-rotation
*eases installation
*zeroes out to ride height
• Polyurethane material impervious to chemical attack
• On the RS, ATRO’s load pads are made of our proprietary low
rebound (no-bounce) material to absorb shock and limit its
transfer to the frame. To accomplish this with rubber, the OE
traditionally offers 2 different part numbers of varying hardness
for specific applications. ATRO’s one part number will perform
reliably in any application.

BM50-66208 CB38011/12 EB38000

Rebound Center Beam End
Control Kit Bushing Kit Bushing

EB50-21013 HC10000 HC20000

Bar Pin Center Load Load ™
Bushing Kit Cushion Cushion

HV38000 TS38000 Torque Rod

Vertical™ Torque Rod Available any length ™
Bushing Bushing or 2-piece rods
- Page 34 -
- Page 35 -
 Hendrickson RT®
• ATRO center bushings require thrust washers

• ATRO bushings have free-rotation

–– eases installation
–– zeroes out to ride height

• Polyurethane material impervious to chemical attack

AK38200 CB38011 CB38012

Beam End Center Center
Adapter Kit Bushing Kit Bushing Kit

CT10000 EB38000 EB50-21013

Cross Tube Beam End Bar Pin
Bushing Bushing Kit

TS38000 TR71000 TR75000

Torque Rod 2-Pc Torque 2-Pc Torque
Bushing Rod, Female Rod, Male
- Page 36 -
- Page 37 -
 Hutch H/CH 7700/9700
ATRO offers:
• Cast or fabricated equalizers
• Equalizer kit includes hardware

ATRO’s torque rod bushings have retaining rims

• 2-piece design

►► Wear items:
• Equalizer/bushings
• Torque rods/torque rod bushings

™™ ATRO benefit:
• ATRO equalizer kits include hardware

*Equalizer Beams ™ **Equalizer ™ PL1119

w/Bushings Bushing Kits Torque Rod Bushing

TH53-37149 TR53-41500 TR53-45305

Torque Rod Torque Rod Torque Rod
Bushing Kit Fixed Length Adjustable Length

*EQ53-35001, EQ53-35158, EQ53-35250, EQ53-35701

** EQ53-35118, EQ53-35234
- Page 38 -
- Page 39 -
 International Corporate Air/IROS
• Similar in concept to the Freightliner FAS II and Peterbilt’s New
Low Air Leaf.

• The biggest concern with bonded bushings is the spring eye

opens up and the bushing can walk out:
–– With a bonded OE-style rubber bushing, the pin is not
allowed to rotate, so the ENTIRE bushing can be forced
to spin within the eye of the spring thus leading to the
wallowed out spring eye. Bonded rubber bushings attempt
to combat this with an inboard flanged end encased in a
ring with detents for “gripping” the edge of the spring’s eye.
–– With ATRO’s rotating bushing, the outer sleeve and
urethane rotate around the fixed pin.

• ATRO spring eye bushing design (PB46-26268):

–– Outer sleeved is flanged to limit lateral travel
–– Inner pin rotates rather than entire bushing spinning

• ATRO torque rod:

–– The OE offers multiple torque rod options on this
suspension. The OE standard can be replaced by ATRO’s
TR55-418C1– but the published options include non-
rebushable rods, those rebushed with TS34000 bushings,
or even tubular rods with jam bushings (ATRO’s ™
TS50-22691.)
–– Inner pin rotates for easy installation – easy to align bolt
holes (TS34000 and TS38000)
–– Rebushable

PB46-26268 PL1146 TS50-22691 TR55-418C1

Pivot Bushing Torque Rod Torque Rod Torque Rod
(oversize Bushing Bushing
version
available)
- Page 40 -
- Page 41 -
 International Z Air Spring Suspension
• This suspension could be spec’d with many different torque
rod bushings: small jam bushings (PL1146), conventional size
(TS38000/TT38000), non-rebushable.

• ATRO’s TR55-41117 replaces what appears to be the most

popular spec’d length, 18 1/8”. This uses ATRO’s small rod
eye design with TS00-22500 bushings.

• The Z Spring replaces the heavier paddle and adds to

deflection as well as acting as the mount for the air spring.

►► Wear Items:
—— Torque rods/torque rod bushings
—— Spring wear pad (WP55-290C1)
—— Shocks

PL1146 TR55-41117 TR71000 TR75000

Torque Rod Torque Rod 2 Pc Torque Rod 2 Pc Torque Rod
Bushing Small Eye Male End Male End

TS34000 TS38000 TS50-22256 WP55-290C1

Torque Rod Torque Rod Torque Rod Wear Pad
Bushing Bushing Bushing
- Page 42 -
- Page 43 -
 Kenworth AirGlide 100
• There are four torque rods - two transverse, two radial track
rods. The radial rods (running the length of the vehicle) can be
either 24” (TR59-41375) for 52” axle spread or 25”
(TR59-41150) for 54” axle spread. The two transverse rods are
both TR59-41376.

• The OE rubber sway bar wrap bushing does not have tabs, but
when the bushing is compressed in the housing, the rubber
bulges out effectively forming side tabs. ATRO molds those
side tabs into the part in the PL1008; the PL1184 is molded
without tabs.

• The sway bar bushings are replaced with the TS38000. The
bushings are designed to withstand the extra heat generated
from the high-frequency, low amplitude vibration (aka “road
noise”) the U-shaped sway bars encounter in service.

PL1008 TS38000 TT38000

Air Ride Bushing Torque Rod Bushing Torque Rod Bushing

TR59-41150 TR59-41375 TR59-41376

Torque Rod Torque Rod Torque Rod

- Page 44 -
- Page 45 -
 Kenworth AirGlide 200/400
• AirGlide 200 can be retrofitted up to an AirGlide 400

• ATRO’s Technical Guidelines sheet TG031309 discusses

important installation points, identifies those parts in our kit
which are optional and gives other recommended practices. It
is available at www.atrobushing.com under the “Documents”
menu, “Technical Bulletins” section.

• Additional benefits found on Tech Bulletin TB060509 in the

“Technical Bulletins” section under the “Documents” menu on
our website.

• The four upper torque rods are uniquely positioned in this

suspension. This suspension combines the transverse and
longitudinal torque rods into a dual rod, V configuration with
the torque rods mounted vertically. Our TS59-22400 bushing is
a High Articulation bushing designed to withstand the conical
motion required. It is the only ATRO torque rod bushing
approved for use in OE aluminum rods. It features:
–– Articulation voids to provide extra vertical motion
–– Modified pin (compared to our standard TS38000 pin)

• ATRO’s replacement torque rod is TR59-41474. It features:

–– Stronger, more durable steel rod than aluminum rod
–– Forged steel rod eyes
–– Heavy-walled steel shaft

Sway bar bushings:

• TS38000 for heat build up from road noise
• (See AirGlide 100 section for technical details.)

Sway bar kits:

• SW59-29000-KIT (2 bushed bars + hardware)
• SW59-29000 (1 bushed bar)
- Page 46 -
PART NUMBER LOCATION HEAT TOLERANCE
TS59-22400 Torque Rods only Normal
Sway Bar/Torque Leaf
TS38000 Slightly Higher
only

- Page 47 -
 Kenworth AirGlide 380
Peterbilt FlexAir
• On a Kenworth it’s branded as an AirGlide 380; on a Peterbilt
this same suspension is branded as a Flex Air. The C-shaped
spring link makes this suspension easily identifiable. ATRO
offers the spring link bushings SU00-29001 (straddle) and
SU00-29002 (hollow mount).
• There are six torque rods – two transverse, two lower front,
two lower rear. The front rods (TR00-41001) are almost an
inch shorter than the rear rods (TR00-41600) but both front
and rear have a straddle-hollow mount configuration. The
two transverse rods (both are TR00-41009) have a straddle-
straddle configuration.
►► High wear item: Transverse torque rods!
• All replacement torque rods on this suspension have the
smaller 2” rod eye with ATRO’s TS00-22500 (straddle) and
TH00-22500 (hollow). These bushings have outer sleeves, the
pins rotate, and the rods are rebushable with ATRO bushings
only.
• To rebush the OE rod with 1 7/8” rod eyes, use ATRO’s ™
TS50-22691 (straddle) and TH50-22692 (hollow).

SU00-29001 SU00-29002 TH00-22500 TS00-22500

Spring Link Spring Link Torque Rod Torque Rod
Bushing Bushing Bushing Bushing

TR00-41001 TR00-41009 TR00-41600

Torque Rod Torque Rod Torque Rod
Small Eye Small Eye Small Eye
- Page 48 -
- Page 49 -
 Mack Camelbacks
ATRO load pads:
• Low rebound – no bounce
• Chemically resistant
• Don’t mix ATRO with others

►► Wear items:
• Load pads
• Trunnion bushings
• Torque rod/torque rod bushings

™™ ATRO benefits:
• Specially formulated for this application, ATRO’s
proprietary polyurethane takes the bounce out and acts
as a shock absorber. The significantly improved ride is
immediately noticeable!
• This reduces cab damage and T-leaf breakage, too.
• Extended life load pad.

Mack Mack MS62-29246

Trunnion Load Pads Insulator
Bushings Upper & Lower Spacer Block

TM38000 TS38000 Torque Rod

Torque Rod ™ Torque Rod Available any length or
Bushing Bushing 2-piece rods
- Page 50 -
- Page 51 -
 Peterbilt Air Leaf
Eye casting bolted to the spring houses the pivot bushing
(ATRO’s PB75-29674, OE’s 03AL1):
• PB75-29674 is a spring eye bushing service kit that has
bushings, sleeve, washers and hardware. The polyurethane
components within this kit are PL1076 and PL1075 (2 each
kit) and are also available separately. (PB75-29674 is ½”
longer than the original design Low Mount Air Leaf version,
PB75-29101.)
• Tech Guidelines bulletin TG103009 outlines recommended
installation sequence for PB75-29674 and is available at ™
www.atrobushing.com under the “Documents” menu,
“Technical Bulletins” section.
ATRO’s torque rods (ATRO’s TR75-41059, OE’s 03-04059):
• Rebushable (OE standard is non-rebushable; rebushable
options available)
• Rotating-pin for easy installation
• Heavy-duty bushing (OE standard bushing has smaller O.D.)
►► Wear items:
• Spring eye pivot bushing
• Torque rod/torque rod bushings
Torque Rod Comparison:
REBUSH-
MFR ROD BUSHING ROTATING
ABLE
OE 1 1/8" O.D. TS34000 (2 17/32") Varies No
ATRO 1 1/4" O.D. TS38000 (2 3/4") Yes Yes

PB75-29674 PL1026 PL1075

Air Leaf Bushing Kit Shock Bushing Air Leaf Bushing

PL1076 TR75-41059 TS34000

Beam End Washer Torque Rod Torque Rod Bushing
- Page 52 -
- Page 53 -
 Peterbilt Air Trac
ATRO’s torque rods for upper transverse rod replacement
(ATRO’s TR75-41059, OE’s 03-04059):
• Rebushable
• Rotating-pin for easy installation
• Heavy-duty bushing (OE standard bushing has smaller O.D.)
• If rebushing ATRO’s TR75-41059, use ATRO’s TS38000
• If rebushing OE/aftermarket rods, use ATRO’s TS34000
ATRO’s torque rods for lower rod replacement:
• The lower rods come in two versions.
–– ATRO’s TR75-41119 is a direct OE replacement - both use
the larger straddle bushing (TS38000).
–– ATRO’s TR75-41327 option is also a direct replacement to
the OE offering. Note: the bushings within the same rod
differ: the axle bracket end has a ¾” bolt but the frame
side has 5/8” bolt. ATRO’s rod has a TS38000 in one end
and a TS38750 in the other.
• Rebushable
• Rotating-pin for easy installation
ATRO also offers the spring roller, SU75-29623, or the complete
spring roller kit, SU75-29624ATRO pricing on the kit includes the
urethane and steel rollers PLUS the bolt, nut and washer.
►► Wear items:
• Torque rod/torque rod bushings
• Spring roller

PL1026 SU75-29623 TS34000

Shock Bushing Spring Roller Torque Rod Bushing
SU75-29624
Spring Roller Kit

TS38000 TS38750 TR75-41059, TR75-41119

Torque Rod Bushing Torque Rod Bushing TR75-41327 Torque Rod
- Page 54 -
- Page 55 -
 Peterbilt Low Mount Air Leaf
Eye casting bolted to the spring houses the pivot bushing
(ATRO’s PB75-29101, OE’s 03AL2):
• PB75-29101 is a spring eye bushing service kit that has
bushings, sleeve, washers and hardware. The polyurethane
components within this kit are PL1076 and PL1189 (2 each
kit) and are also available separately.
• Tech Guidelines bulletin TG103009 outlines recommended
installation sequence for PB75-29101 and is available at ™
www.atrobushing.com under the “Documents” menu,
“Technical Bulletins” section.

ATRO’s torque rods (ATRO’s TR75-41108, OE’s 03-05108):

• Rebushable (OE standard is non-rebushable)
• Rotating-pin for easy installation
• Heavy-duty bushing (OE standard bushing has smaller O.D.

►► Wear items:
• Spring eye pivot bushing
• Torque rod/torque rod bushings

Torque Rod Comparison:

REBUSH-
MFR ROD BUSHING ROTATING
ABLE
OE 1 1/8" O.D. TS34000 (2 17/32") No No
ATRO 1 1/4" O.D. TS38000 (2 3/4") Yes Yes

PB75-29101 PL1076
Air Leaf Bushing Kit Beam End Washer

PL1189 TR75-41108 TS34000

Spring Eye Bushing Torque Rod Torque Rod Bushing
- Page 56 -
- Page 57 -
 Peterbilt New Low Air Leaf
• Similar in concept to the Freightliner FAS II and the
International Corporate Air/IROS.

• The biggest concern with bonded bushings is the spring eye

opens up and the bushing can walk out:

–– With a bonded OE-style rubber bushing, the pin is not

allowed to rotate, so the ENTIRE bushing can be forced
to spin within the eye of the spring thus leading to the
wallowed out spring eye. Bonded rubber bushings attempt
to combat this with an inboard flanged end encased in a
ring with detents for “gripping” the edge of the spring’s eye.
–– With ATRO’s rotating bushing, the outer sleeve and
urethane rotate around the fixed pin.

• ATRO spring eye bushing design (PB46-26268):

–– Outer sleeved is flanged to limit lateral travel
–– Inner pin rotates rather than entire bushing spinning

• ATRO torque rod:

–– Uses ATRO torque rod TR00-41009. This is a small-
eyed rod with TS00-22500 in each end. The bushing in
these rods is a TS00-22500 – it will not fit OEM or other
aftermarket rods. To rebush OE rod or other aftermarket
rod, use ATRO’s TS50-22691.
–– Inner pin rotates for easy installation – easy to align bolt
holes (TS00-22500 only.)
–– Rebushable

PB46-26268 TR00-41009
Pivot Bushing Torque Rod
- Page 58 -
- Page 59 -
 High-Temperature Underhood Mounts
• ATRO recently launched its newest breakthrough product
line – High-Temperature motor mounts and underhood
components. ATRO is one of several companies releasing new
products that can tolerate higher temperatures. So, why has
under hood heat become such an issue?

• EPA Tier 3 emission standards, in effect since 2007–2010,

mandate that diesel engine manufacturers reduce emission
levels of NOx (nitrogen oxides).  The ripple effect created by
the necessary underhood changes gets complicated because
each solution creates new problems in another area. The
most significant is only beginning to be recognized: elevated
under hood temperatures.

• Here’s the big picture short version:

New engine designs use EGR to control NOx emissions
by recirculating some of the exhaust gases back into the
combustion chamber. Due to the mix of exhaust with air
entering the combustion chamber, there is less oxygen than
if it were just air. With less oxygen it doesn’t burn as hot and
at a lower temperature NOx don’t get a chance to form in the
first place – thus lower NOx emission levels. But here’s the
kicker - the exhaust is cooled before it is reintroduced
to the combustion chamber.  Engine manufacturers have
always used the basic rule of thumb that the energy output
of the engine is equally divided with 1/3 going to power, 1/3
to exhaust and 1/3 used to cool the engine.  In these new
engine systems, the cooling system is now over-burdened
by 15 – 30% because it must additionally cool the exhaust
gas before it can recirculate for round two.

- Page 60 -
• Do not mix standard mounts and HT mounts of the same part
number– if the standard mounts are affected by heat and melt (or
soften and compress), the full weight of the engine/tranny will fall
on the unaffected HT mount. ONE EXCEPTION to this mixing rule
is on the Kenworth mounts KT59-62001 and KT59-62002-HT (or
KT59-62003-HT which includes hardware.) In this one application,
ATRO offers the front mounts in HT but not the rear mounts. The
front mounts are susceptible to heat-related failure but the rear
mounts show no such track. The material used in the rear mounts
address vibration isolation specifically – the added expense of an
HT modification is not necessary.

- Page 61 -
 Chalmers Freightliner FASII

Hendrickson Haulmaax Hendrickson HN

Hendrickson Intraax Hendrickson Primaax

Hendrickson RS Hendrickson RT

- Page 62 -
 Hutchens International Corp Air/IROS

Kenworth AirGlide 100 Kenworth AG380/PB FlexAir

Kenworth AirGlide 400 Mack Camelback

Peterbilt Air Leaf Peterbilt Air Trac

- Page 63 -
Peterbilt Low Air Leaf Peterbilt New Low Air Leaf

www.atrobushing.com

- Page 64 -