operators_manual

Inspection
For all vehicles, mandatory maintenance
procedures include retightening all U-bolts
and inspecting the suspension for loose
fasteners, abnormal wear, or damage.
However, even with proper maintenance,
the service life of leaf springs is affected by
many factors, such as: fatigue, vehicle
gross weight, type of load, road conditions,
and vehicle speed. Check for cracks, wear
marks, splits, or other defects on the
surface of the spring. Defective parts must
be replaced. Because repaired springs
cannot be fully restored to their original
service life, replace the complete assembly
if cracks or other defects are detected.
Visually inspect shock absorbers and
rubber bushings.
Wheel Alignment
For driving safety and comfort, and to
prolong the life of your vehicle, it is
important to have wheels correctly aligned.
Check tire wear frequently. Uneven tire
wear is a sign that the wheels may be
misaligned. If you see uneven wear, take
your vehicle to an authorized dealer
familiar with aligning wheels on your
vehicle.
Suspension U-Bolts
It is important that U-bolts remain tight.
Severe use of your vehicle will cause them
to loosen faster. But all vehicles need to
have their U-bolts checked and tightened
regularly. Be sure someone with the proper
training and the right tools checks and
tightens the U-bolts on your vehicle. New
springs can settle in after service, relieving
the tension on the U-bolts. Loose U-bolts
can cause leaf spring breakage, axle
misalignment, hard steering and abnormal
tire wear. All vehicles should have
suspension U-bolts tightened after the first
500 miles (800 km) of operation. Re-torque
the front spring pinch bolts and shackle
pinch bolts.
WARNING!
Do not operate the vehicle if the suspension
U bolts are not properly tightened. Loose U
bolts will cause the axle to not be properly
secured to the suspension, which could
cause loss of vehicle control and an acci-
dent. Loose U bolts can also cause uneven
tire wear and poor alignment. Failure to
comply may result in death, personal injury,
equipment or property damage.
U-bolts are difficult to tighten unless you
have the right equipment. If you cannot
tighten them correctly yourself, be sure to
have them checked and tightened regularly
by an authorized mechanic. Tighten U-bolt
nuts to the specified torque value with the
vehicle loaded to its normal gross weight.
See Suspension U-Bolts, Grade 8 on page
213 specifications for torque values
applying to U-bolts and nuts, with clean
threads lubricated with Chevron zinc
lubricant (SAE 20 or 30 oils acceptable but
not preferred).
WARNING!
Do not replace U bolts and nuts with com-
mon U bolts or standard nuts. These parts
are critical to vehicle safety. If the wrong U
bolts or nuts are used, the axle could loosen
or separate from the vehicle and cause a
serious accident. Use only U bolts and nuts
of SAE Grade 8 specification or better. Fail-
ure to comply may result in death, personal
injury, equipment or property damage.
See Also
Suspension U-Bolts, Grade 8 on page 213
Wheel Cap Nut Torque Specifications on
page 215
MAINTENANCE - Front Axle and Suspension
Y53-6096-1A1 (01/17) 195
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