6
Suspension
To remove the front axle:
1. Block the rear wheels securely to prevent the coach from rolling.
2. Following the instructions in the “Jacking” section of the General Information chapter of this
manual, raise the front end of the coach until the lower edges of the skirt panels are about eigh-
teen inches from the floor. Securely support the coach using stands or blocks safely positioned
under frame members as specified in the jacking instructions.
3. Remove the front wheels as described in the Brakes and Wheels chapter of this manual.
4. Exhaust the air pressure from the air system by opening the four air valves located behind the
battery box door. Disconnect the air lines from the front brake chambers.
5. Remove any clamps or brackets which hold brake or suspension air lines to the axle assembly.
6. Remove or disconnect any brake components connected between the axle assembly and the
coach body. Disconnect the ABS sensor wires.
7. Position floor jacks under the left and right sides of the axle beam. Keep in mind that the axle is
top-heavy and can flip or roll over once the torque rods are disconnected; for this reason, make
sure the floor jacks are equipped with adaptors to keep the axle upright. Use the jacks to lift the
axle enough to support its weight, but not enough to lift the coach off the stands positioned in
Step 2.
8. Disconnect the height control valve link from the mounting bracket. Push the control arm of the
valve down to let the air out of the air springs.
9. Disconnect the air lines from the air springs. Remove the mounting nuts which attach the air
springs to the chassis.
10. Remove the bolts and nuts which attach the upper and lower torque rods to the frame. Be sure
that the axle is firmly supported and cannot move when the torque rods are disconnected.
11. Remove the shock absorbers as described in this chapter.
12. Lower the axle onto the jacks until the air springs clear the underside of the coach. Carefully pull
the jacks and axle assembly from under the coach.
Front Axle Installation
1. Position the axle on two hydraulic jacks, with one jack positioned at each end of the axle beam.
Keep in mind that the axle is top-heavy and can flip or roll over once the torque rods are discon
-
nected; for this reason, make sure the floor jacks are equipped with adaptors to keep the axle
upright.
2. Carefully move the axle into position under the coach. Feed the air spring studs through the cor-
rect holes in the mounting plates as the axle is lifted into place.
3. Attach the upper and lower torque rods to the frame. Do not tighten the mounting hardware yet.
4. Install and tighten to specification the upper air spring mounting nuts. Connect the air lines to the
air springs.
5. Install the shock absorbers as instructed in the “Shock Absorber Replacement” section in this
chapter. Tighten the mounting hardware to the specified torques.
Summary of Contents for LOW FLOOR
Page 18: ...Specifications 18...
Page 58: ...Preventive Maintenance 58...
Page 110: ...Engine 110...
Page 138: ...Transmission Driveline Rear Axle 138...
Page 182: ...Suspension 182...
Page 260: ...Air System 260...
Page 420: ...Electrical System 420 Deutsch DT Series Connectors...
Page 421: ...Electrical System 421...
Page 422: ...Electrical System 422 Deutsch HD 10 Series Connectors...
Page 423: ...Electrical System 423...
Page 424: ...Electrical System 424 Deutsch HD 30 Series Connectors...
Page 425: ...Electrical System 425...
Page 442: ...Heating Air Conditioning 442...
Page 492: ...Body and Interior 492 Figure 11 33 USSC Seat Assembly...
Page 493: ...Body and Interior 493 Figure 11 34 USSC Seat Suspension Assembly...
Page 495: ...Body and Interior 495 Figure 11 37 Seat Air Connections...