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Chapter 26 Bennet
Chapter 26 Bennet
Suspension
Systems
Objectives (1 of 2)
Identify and describe the types of suspension
systems used on current trucks.
List the components used on leaf and multi-leaf
spring suspension systems and explain how they
work.
Describe a fiber composite spring.
Identify equalizing beam suspension system
components and explain how they function.
Identify torsion bar suspension system components
and explain how they function.
Objectives (2 of 2)
Identify air spring suspension system components
and explain how they function.
Troubleshoot suspensions and locate defective
suspension system components.
Outline suspension system repair and replacement
procedures.
Explain the relationship between axle alignment
and suspension system alignment.
Perform full chassis suspension system alignments.
Describe the operation of the cab air suspension
system.
Suspension Systems (1 of 2)
A suspension system plays a number of
roles.
It stabilizes the truck when traveling over
smooth highway as well as over rough terrain.
It cushions the chassis from road shock and
enables the driver to steer the truck.
It maintains the proper axle spacing and
alignment.
It provides a smooth ride when both loaded
and unloaded.
Suspension Systems (2 of 2)
Leaf spring
Equalizer beam
Leaf spring and solid rubber spring
Torsion bar
Air spring
Pneumatic-only and combination air/leaf
spring
Suspension Terms
Jounce literally means bump.
In suspension terminology, it means the most compressed
condition of a spring. For instance, many suspensions use
jounce blocks to prevent frame-to-axle contact known as
suspension slam.
Rebound is the reactive response of a spring after being
jounced; it kicks back.
Unsprung weight, an important factor in a suspension, means
the weight of any chassis components not supported by the
suspension, for instance, the axles.
Ideally it is kept as low as possible because of the reaction
effect, which is one of the reasons for specing aluminum
wheels.
Oscillation is either rhythmic or irregular vibrations or movements
in a suspension.
For instance, a good suspension will minimize jounce/rebound
oscillations by using dampening devices such as shock
absorbers and multi leaf spring packs.
Leaf-spring Suspensions
A leaf spring is a steel plate or stack of clamped
steel plates.
Most leaf springs used in trucks today are
manufactured from spring steel.
Spring steel is middle-alloy steel that has been
tempered, that is, heat-treated.
The result is to provide a leaf spring plate with
considerable ability to flex without permanently
deforming.
Leaf springs may consist of a single leaf or a series
of leaves clamped together, known as a spring
pack.
Spring Pack Principles
Self-dampening
The reason for using multiple leaves clamped together rather
than a single piece of metal cut to the same shape has to do
with what happens when a load is applied to the spring.
Interleaf friction
Interleaf friction provides a self-dampening characteristic to
the spring pack. Two factors ensure a spring pack retains its
self dampening.
First, when a spring pack is assembled, the individual
leaves must never be lubricated or painted. This would
reduce interleaf contact friction.
Second, the function of the center-bolt that clamps the
leaves is critical. The tension it loads the leaves under
helps define the self-dampening ability of the spring
assembly. In the event of a broken center-bolt, much of
the self- dampening properties of a spring pack are lost.
Shock absorbers not necessary
The advantage of the multi-leaf spring pack is that shock
absorbers can be eliminated.
Shop Talk
Constant rate
Leaf-type spring assemblies that have a
constant rate of deflection
Variable rate
Leaf-type spring assemblies with a variable
deflection rate obtained by varying the
effective length of the spring assembly
Progressive Spring Operation
Multi-leaf Shackle Spring
Single Drive Axle Spring Suspension
Tandem Axle, Equalizer Spring
Suspension System
Semi-elliptical Springs with Shocks
Equalizing Beam Suspension
SystemLeaf Spring-type
Equalizing Beams
with Rubber Cushions
Leaf and Air
Suspension System (1 of 2)
Leaf and Air
Suspension System (2 of 2)
Height Control Valve
Air Springs
Leaf Spring Suspension
Troubleshooting Guide
See Table 261 on page 810 of the textbook.
Rough Ride Diagnosis