Suspension That Does The Heavy Lifting
Written February, 2023
Winter months mean increased use of ice prevention chemicals, triggering erosion on the roads we travel. Drivers experience not only wear on their trucks with these conditions, but also wear on their bodies as well.
The U.S. government has acknowledged the state of our country's infrastructure is in need of an overhaul. Over the course of five years, the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law1 will guarantee improved roads and bridges, granting travelers better access. These measures should ensure longer life of heavy duty hauling trucks with measurable savings in repairs and fuel costs.
Regardless of which road you might travel, quality active suspension is paramount to your successful uptime. The suspension acts as the muscle behind your heavy duty truck. This “muscle” keeps you safe with heavy trailers in tow over bumpy roads or rough terrain.
The Suspension That's Right For You
Leaf Spring Suspensions directly attach to the truck's frame and position themselves on the nearest axle to the trailer. Leaf springs are the simplest type of suspension. They are suitable for dry freight applications because they can bear more evenly distributed weight. The leaf spring suspensions experience a reduction of vertical vibration caused by variations in the road surface.
Proper maintenance of your leaf springs include regular lubrication of bushings and spring pins. This keeps the metal from wearing the leaf spring. Check for rust streaks or loose U-bolts to keep your rig in operating condition. It is also imperative to avoid overloading your trailer beyond its capacity limit.
Leaf springs can become stressed from overloading, which can lead to cracking, rust streaks, or expensive failures. Don't ride with compromised leaf springs; FleetPride offers OEM-quality replacement leaf springs for a comfortable ride.
Air Ride Suspensions feature fixed suspension support that mounts onto the chassis. These suspensions evenly distribute loads, enabling you to adjust your truck while driving to accommodate an empty or partially full trailer. Lifting the rear axle shifts the weight of the trailer forward, ensuring a balanced load across all axles.
This system offers maximum protection for various components of your truck, including the drivetrain, tires, and brakes. These measures not only improve fuel economy, but also prevent costly repairs and downtime
The air ride suspension is a more complicated system with more parts that can experience wear over time. When installing replacement air springs, it is crucial to test the air bags to ensure their proper functionality. Both sides should maintain the set psi for over 3 minutes.
If experiencing what the manufacturer deems as “excessive air loss”, one should consider leaks within the air lines. Check for leaks by spraying soapy water on the connections. If bubbles form around the seals or fittings of the air hose, you first need to bleed your air lines. To release the fitting, push the airline collar against the fitting and then pull back after removing the air.
Trimming the air line (around half an inch) can ensure a more secure seal. Another item to consider is a loose-fitting connection on the air bag that needs tightening. After reinstalling the air line, spray soapy water on the connection again to verify a proper seal. Repeat the 3-minute testing process until your air bags can maintain the set psi.
Heavy Duty Tech Tip
From Our Heavy Duty Experts™ : View this Air Bag Examination Maintenance Checklist to ensure your suspension is in proper working order.
Inspection
- Compressor remains free from condensation for air bags to remain in operation
- Air bag material free from weather & wear related cracking, losing air tightness
- Ensure air filter of compressor is clean
- Uneven trailer height between the sides of the trailer indicates the need for new air bags
Maintenance
- Replace any rusted air-line fittings, common from road salt exposure
- Use air brake anti-freeze & conditioner to prevent moisture build up
- Regularly drain air tank to prevent air lines from freezing and cracking
Consistency You Can Count On
Heavy duty full air ride suspensions provided your truck with consistent wheel levels. Dependable and long-lasting semi trailer air suspension parts avoid body roll while making turns or hitting road bumps.
Our Heavy Duty Experts™ can help you access the best supply chain on FleetPride.com, anytime, anywhere across the nation. Experience for yourself why FleetPride.com is the First Click in Heavy Duty™.
* The forgoing is provided for informational purposes only. Please consult your local FleetPride Heavy Duty Experts to verify the suitability of a part for the intended application.
Resources
1 (n.d.). A Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The White House. Retrieved January 14, 2023, from https://www.whitehouse.gov/build/guidebook/