19
23

14
8

16 18

11

20
16
15

10
5
7
8
9

4

6

3
2
1
f321143

03/13/2009

1. High Nut, 7/8–14
2. Flatwasher, Hardened 7/8 x 1.48 x 0.16
3. Axle
4. Dowel Pin, 0.75 o.d. x 4.00
5. Spacer
6. Spring Pin
7. Retainer
8. Hardened Washer, 0.53 x 1.06 x 0.177
9. Hexnut, 1/2–20
10. Split Ring
11. Spring Drive Bracket
12. Retaining Bolt,1/2–20

13. U-Bolt, 7/8–14
14. Axle Stop/Shock Absorber Mount
15. Hexbolt, 3/4–16 x 4.25
16. Flatwasher, Hardened, 3/4 x 1.39 x 0.16
17. Shock Absorber Mounting Bracket
18. Hexnut, 3/4–16 UNF
19. Spring
20. Shock Absorber
21. Shackle Bracket
22. Frame Rail
23. Shackle Link
24. Retaining Bolt, 1/2–20

Fig. 1, Drop Hanger Front Suspension with Threaded Spring Pins

11. Lower the spring and the axle, then remove and discard the spring.
12. Using multipurpose chassis grease, lubricate both spring pins, the shackle pin, and the inside surfaces of the
bushings.
13. Loosely position the new spring on top of the axle, with the alignment pin in the hole in the top of the axle.

Page 5

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Field Service Campaign

December 2013
SF485AB

NOTICE
Failure to apply Alumilastic or similar compound will result in electrolytic corrosion of dissimilar metal
components, and will damage the suspension system.
14. Connect the rear of the spring as follows.
14.1

Place the floor jack under the axle, then raise it until the rear spring eye aligns with the holes in the
shackles.

14.2

Using the removal tool, thread the rear spring pin through the outboard shackle link, the spring eye,
then the inboard shackle link. Take care not to push the split ring out of the inboard shackle link.

14.3

Apply Alumilastic® or similar compound to all areas of the aluminum shackle link that contacts other
metal. This includes all capscrews, washers, and locknuts that contact the aluminum shackle link.

14.4

Insert the lower retaining bolt, with a hardened washer, through the inboard shackle link. Do not install
the retaining bolt though the outboard shackle link at this time.

15. Connect the front of the spring as follows.
15.1

Align the forward spring eye in the spring drive bracket.

15.2

Thread the spring pin through the spring eye, then set the split-ring on the inboard end of the spring
pin.

15.3

Install the retaining bolts down through the spring drive bracket and attach the retainers. Tighten the
nuts evenly to maintain equal clearance between the retainers and the spring drive bracket, but do not
fully tighten them at this time. They need to be loose enough to adjust. See Fig. 2.

16. Using the floor jack, lower the axle until the spring hangs freely.

A

11/06/2008

A

f321144

A. Equal Distances
Fig. 2, Spring Drive Bracket and Retainer
Installation

Page 6

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Field Service Campaign

December 2013
SF485AB

17. Attach the rear of the spring as follows.
17.1

Using the threaded spring pin, center the lower rear spring pin in the shackle bracket. The gap on each
side should be within 0.080 inch (20 mm) of the other side. The minimum gap on each side is 0.020
inch (0.5 mm). See Fig. 3.

17.2

After the spring is correctly positioned, install the retaining bolt through the outboard shackle link, then
tighten the bolts in both the inboard and outboard shackle links 45 lbf1ft (61 N1m).

18. Adjust the front of the spring.
18.1

Using the threaded spring pin to adjust the position, center the front spring pin in the drive bracket. The
nominal gap on each side is 0.063 inch (1.60 mm). Maintain a minimum gap of 0.020 inch (0.5 mm)
on each side. See Fig. 4.

18.2

Tighten the nuts on the retainer bolts 60 to 76 lbf1ft (81 to 103 N1m).

B

C

A

A

1

A

2

A

A

A

A

1

A
3

11/06/2008

4

f321145

A. Minimum Spacing 0.020 inch (0.5 mm)
1. Spring
2. Outboard Retainer
03/13/2009

A. Min. 0.020 inch (0.5
mm)
B. Outboard

f321146

C. Inboard

3. Inboard Retainer
4. Split Ring

Fig. 4, View From Underneath the Forward Spring
Eye

1. Split-Ring
Fig. 3, View from Rear of Spring Looking Forward

Page 7

Daimler Trucks
North America LLC

Field Service Campaign

December 2013
SF485AB

19. Install the grease zerks into the spring pins.
20. Lower the axle and place the spacer and/or caster shim (if removed) on the front axle in the position referenced
during removal.
21. Using the jack, raise the axle until the spring spacer touches the spring, then place the axle stop/shockabsorber mount on top of the spring.

NOTICE
Failure to tighten the U-bolt fasteners as instructed could result in spring breakage or abnormal tire wear.
22. Install the U-bolts, flat washers and high nuts. Using the diagonal pattern shown in Fig. 5, tighten the high
nuts sequentially in four stages as shown in Table 3.
23. Remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle to the ground.
24. Wipe all dirt from the grease fittings on the spring pins and the shackle pin. Apply multipurpose chassis grease
with a pressure gun until grease appears at the opposite end of the pin.
25. Remove the jack stands from the chassis, and lower the vehicle.
26. Install both front shock absorbers, and tighten the bolts 200 lbf.ft (271 N1m).

03/10/2011

4

1

2

3

f320783

Fig. 5, Tightening Pattern for U-bolt High Nuts

Front Suspension Fastener Torque Values
Size

Torque: lbf1ft (N1m)

Shackle Bracket-to-Frame Locknut

Description

3/4–10

240 (325)

Forward Spring-Eye Bolt

3/4–10

240 (325)

Upper and Lower Shackle Bolt

3/4–10

240 (325)
Stage
Stage
Stage
Stage

1:
2:
3:
4:

Hand-tighten
60 (81)
200 (271)
420–500 (571–680)

Axle U-bolt High Nuts

7/8–14

Spring Assembly Center-Bolt Nut

1/2–20

65 (88)

Shock Absorber Upper and Lower Mounting Locknut

3/4–10

140 (190)

Table 3, Front Suspension Fastener Torque Values

27. Close the hood.
28. Clean a spot on the base label (Form WAR259), and attach a completion sticker (Form WAR 261) for campaign
SF485 to the base label.
Page 8