Spring Time

Avoid expensive repairs through regular suspension maintenance

Spring suspensions are used on most front axles and are popular on the tandems of on/off-road vehicles because they are less easily damaged. Regular inspection and greasing of this system will head off expensive repairs, help reduce tire wear and improve handling.

1. Look at the shock absorber mounts and the bushings inside. Torque shock mounting bolts to specification. Replace the bushings, or have them replaced, if cracked or loose.

2. Feel the shock absorbers after the truck has been driven two miles or more. Replace any not warm to the touch. Replace every 100,000 miles to guarantee good performance. Shocks in good working order will preserve springs, bushings and other parts, along with ride.

3. Inspect the areas around the spring U-bolts for a fine layer of rust due to chipped paint. Tap on them with a hammer. A solid sound means they are tight, while a rattle or ringing noise means looseness. If loose, look up factory specifications and torque with a torque wrench. If the bolts fail to torque properly, have them replaced and properly torqued. If very loose, the centering pin for the spring may be worn or its locating hole enlarged. Have the alignment reset. Torquing these every 100,000 miles will minimize the need for repairs.

4.  Check the springpins at the ends of springs by listening for a snapping noise or seeing looseness at the end of the spring as a helper rapidly turns the steering wheel back and forth. You’ll see the motion inside the rubber bushing that fits inside the spring. You can also check by looking for up-and-down play inside the bushings when the truck is raised on a floor jack. Replace worn springpins. Regular greasing with the truck sitting normally or off the wheels, depending on manufacturer recommendation, will prevent wear.