AR2™ 40K • 46K
3. Mount the linkage in a vertical position. DO NOT back out the studs from the height control
valve body. Loosening the studs may cause the height control valve to leak.
4. The arm on the height control valve requires enough clearance to allow for 45 degrees of
travel without contacting any chassis components. The lower mounting bracket must be
positioned on the rear of the trailing arm top surface.
5. Weld the lower mounting bracket into position.
6. Recheck the height control valve bracket and linkage for proper operation when installed.
7. Verify ride height, refer to the Alignment & Adjustment section of this publication.

Air Suspension Dump Valve
When installing an AR2 suspension conversion kit, it is required that a height control valve with a
dump feature be installed as part of the suspension air system. Contact the vehicle manufacturer
for the proper dump switch and follow their dump switch installation instructions. Refer to the
Parts List section of this publication.

SUSPENSION AIR SYSTEM PRESSURE GAUGES
Hendrickson recommends when installing an AR2 suspension conversion kit, to have two (2) indash air pressure gauges installed. These gauges will help determine equal loading of the vehicle
as well as indicate any potential suspension air system problem. If in-dash air pressure gauges
are installed, follow the air pressure gauge manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Frame Hanger Installation
The AR2 frame hangers will be supplied in the suspension kits as blanks. Therefore, it is necessary
to drill the hanger mounting holes in the blank hangers, see Figure 9-5. The procedure to drill
the mounting holes in the hangers can be accomplished by two different methods. Whichever
method is used (1 or 2), it is important to use a sharp drill bit and keep the bit cool and lubricated
while performing the drilling operation.
Figure 9-5

■■ Method 1 — is to clamp the blank hanger to the frame and line up the existing holes in the

frame from the RT hanger. Back drill the AR2 blank hanger using the existing holes as a guide.

AR2 Conversion from RT•RTE

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■■ Method 2 — is to clamp the blank hanger to the frame and line up the existing holes in the

frame from the RT hanger. Center punch the holes in the blank hanger and remove the hanger
from the frame. Drill the holes in the hanger.

1. All sharp edges should be removed from the hanger once the drilling operation is complete.
2. Install the fasteners that attach the frame hanger to the vehicle per vehicle manufacturer’s
specifications.
3. Install frame hanger and spacer plate (supplied by vehicle manufacturer) located between
the frame hanger and lower cross member flange.
4. Clamp the bottom of the front hanger to the frame flange.
FAILURE TO CLAMP THE FRAME HANGER AGAINST THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRAME WHILE TIGHTENING THE
FRAME BOLTS CAN RESULT IN COMPONENT DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

5. Snug the frame bolts.
6. Snug the cross member flange bolts.
7. Tighten all frame hanger bolts to the required torque specification.

Trailing Arm Installation – Equalizing Beams Installed
Service Hint

Prior to installing the trailing arm it may be necessary to raise the frame to provide additional clearance for the saddle studs to go over the center bushings on the equalizing beams, see Figure 9-6.
THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILING ARM ASSEMBLY IS APPROXIMATELY 225 POUNDS (102 kilograms).
CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN AT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION TO PREVENT PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE
TO COMPONENTS.

1. Raise frame high enough to allow adequate clearance between the frame flange and the
center bushing.
2. Tip the front of the trailing arm down to allow clearance for the front hanger, see Figure 9-6.
Figure 9-6

3. Position the trailing arm between the frame and the equalizing beam center bushing.
4. Carefully lower the trailing arm until it is seated on the equalizing beam center bushing.
5. Install the trailing arm saddle caps. DO NOT tighten at this time.
SERVICE HINT

It may be necessary to install a block of wood behind the trailing arm to keep it from tipping backwards.
6. Install the trailing arm bushing into the front hanger.
7. Install the trailing arm bushing adapter and fasteners. DO NOT tighten at this time.

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AR2 Conversion from RT•RTE

AR2™ 40K • 46K
8. Lower the frame to the correct ride height.
9. Tighten the 1" fasteners to

470 ± 25 foot pounds torque.

Air spring installation
Figure 9-7

1. The upper air spring brackets are
not identical.The bracket with the
air spring locating holes closer
together is the front bracket and
should be mounted closest to
the front hanger. The bracket with
the locating holes further apart
is the rear bracket and should be
mounted furthest away from the
front hanger, see Figure 9-7.
2. Install the upper air spring brackets against the frame.
3. Install the mounting fasteners.
4. Clamp the upper air spring bracket against the frame flange.
FAILURE TO CLAMP THE AIR SPRING BRACKET AGAINST THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRAME WHILE
TIGHTENING THE AIR SPRING BRACKET CAN RESULT IN COMPONENT DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY
OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

5. Tighten all air spring bracket mounting fasteners to the vehicle manufacturer’s specified torque.
NOTE

The air spring combination stud is on the outboard side of the frame rail.
6. Install the ½" studs in the bottom of the new air springs and tighten to
torque.

25 ± 5 foot pounds

7. Assemble the air springs to air spring frame hangers by inserting studs into appropriate holes.
The ¾" combo stud faces outboard of the vehicle.
8. Install the air springs into the trailing arm assembly by inserting the studs into the trailing arm
mounting holes, see Figure 9-8.
SERVICE HINT

Depending on the frame height of the vehicle, it may be necessary to compress the air spring to
facilitate installation into the frame bracket and trailing arm.
9. Assemble the washers and locknuts which connect the air springs to the trailing arm assembly
and tighten the locknuts to 25 ± 5 foot pounds torque as shown in Figure 9-8.
10. Assemble the washers and locknuts on the combo studs which connect air spring to the air
spring bracket. Tighten the combo stud locknuts to 60 ± 10 foot pounds torque as shown in
Figure 9-8.
11. Install the air fittings to the air springs using Teflon thread seal.
12. Install the air lines to the air springs. Lower the frame, if necessary, to connect the air springs
and the shock absorbers.

Shock absorber installation
1. Install the upper shock hex bolt in the upper shock mounting bracket prior to mounting the
bracket to the frame, see Figure 9-9.
2. Mount the upper shock mounting bracket to the frame.
3. Install the shock absorber on the upper shock mounting bolt.
4. Install the ¾" washer and locknut, DO NOT tighten at this time.

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5. Install ¾" x 7¼" lower shock mounting bolt and washer from the inboard side into the trailing
arm and the shock absorber. Install outboard washer and locknut, see Figure 9-9.
6. Tighten both of the shock eye locknuts to
Figure 9-8

60 ± 10 foot pounds torque.

Figure 9-9

Trailing Arm Installation – Equalizing Beams Removed
1. Install the frame hangers.
2. Install the upper air spring brackets.
3. Install the upper shock brackets.
4. Install the trailing arm into the front hanger.
5. Install the trailing arm bushing adapter and fasteners. DO NOT tighten at this time.
6. Install the air springs into the upper air spring brackets.
7. Install the shock absorber on the upper mounting bracket.
8. Raise the trailing arm up indexing the air spring studs into the trailing arm, see Figure 9-6.
9. Install the lower shock mounting hardware into the trailing arm.
10. Final torque on the trailing arm mounting collars will need to be done after the beams are
installed.

Saddle and Center Bushing Connection
1. Lower the frame to the proper vehicle ride height and index the saddles on the walking beam
center bushings.
2. Verify that the saddles are centered on the center bushings.
3. Install the saddle caps and tighten in 50 pound increments of torque before achieving a final
torque of 250 ± 25 foot pounds.

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AR2™ 40K • 46K
SECTION 10

Torque Specifications

Torque Specifications

Hendrickson recommended torque values
provided in Foot Pounds

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AR2 40K • 46K
HENDRICKSON RECOMMENDED TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
NO

FASTENER

COMPONENT

QUANTITY

*TORQUE VALUE

SIZE

FOOT POUNDS

1

Trailing Arm Assembly to Saddle Cap

8

7⁄8"-14

UNF

250 ± 25

2

Trailing Arm Adapter

2

1"-14 UNS

470 ± 25

3

Upper Shock Locknut

2

¾"-10 UNC

60 ± 10

4

Lower Shock Locknut

2

¾"-10 UNC

60 ± 10

5

Air Spring Upper Locknut

4

¾"-16 UNF

60 ± 10

6

Air Spring Lower Locknut

8

½"-13 UNC

25 ± 5

7

Height Control Valve to Height Control Valve Bracket

4

¼" -20 UNC

9±1

4

5⁄16"-18

UNC

11 ± 1

5⁄16"-18

UNC

11 ± 1

8

Height Control Valve to Height Control Valve Linkage

9

Height Control Valve Jam Nut

4

10

Height Control Valve Linkage Clamp

2

11

Height Control Valve Bracket to Frame

4

½"-13 UNC

60 ± 10

at the Locknut

8

1"-8 UNC

525 ± 75

at the Bolt Head

8

1"-8 UNC

575 ± 75

AR2 46K

4

1"-16 UNF

470 ± 25

AR2 40K

4

¾"-16 UNF

225 ± 15

at the Locknut

2

1¼"-12 UNF

200 ± 25

2

5⁄8"-11

UNC

75 ± 15

4

5⁄8"-11

UNC

185 ± 25

4

5⁄8"-11

UNC

200 ± 25

12a
12b
13a
13b
14A
14B
15A
15B

Bar Pin Bushing
Bar Pin Bushing Adapter Style
Transverse Torque Rod to Axle Bracket
Torque Rod to Frame

at the Bolt Head
at the Locknut
at the Bolt Head

Until Securely Fastened

NOTE: Axle and frame mount hardware are supplied by vehicle manufacturer.

* Torque values listed above apply only if Hendrickson supplied fasteners are used. If non Hendrickson fasteners are used, follow
torque specifications listed in the vehicle manufacturer’s service manual.

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Torque Specifications

AR2™ 40K • 46K
SECTION 11

Troubleshooting Guide
AR2 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
CONDITION
Suspension has
harsh or bumpy
ride
Excessive ­
driveline ­
vibration

Vehicle leans

Suspension is
noisy

Irregular tire wear

POSSIBLE CAUSE

CORRECTION

Air spring not inflated to ­
specification or damaged

Repair air system and check ride height, see Ride Height in the Alignment &
Adjustments section

Ride height set incorrectly

Adjust ride height to proper setting, see Ride Height in the Alignment &
Adjustments section

Suspension is overloaded

Redistribute load to correct weight

Incorrect pinion angle(s)

Adjust pinion angle(s), refer to the vehicle manufacturer for s­ pecifications

Ride height set incorrectly

Adjust ride height to proper setting, see Ride Height in the Alignment &
Adjustments section

Air spring(s) not inflated to
specification

Check air supply to air spring and check ride height, see Ride Height in the
Alignment & Adjustments section of this publication

Load not centered

Redistribute load

Frame twisted

Straighten the frame per vehicle manufacturer guidelines

Axle housing bent or broken

Replace axle housing per vehicle manufacturer guidelines and align vehicle

Front suspension

Inspect and repair front suspension

Worn torque rod bushings

Replace torque rod bushings as necessary

Worn trailing arm bushings

Replace trailing arm bushings as necessary

Loose equalizing beam end
connection

Check for any improper torque and damage on the equalizing beam mounting
hardware. Replace as necessary and tighten to specified torque, see Torque
Specifications section of this publication

Shock absorbers loose

Check shock absorber fasteners for proper tightening torque, see Torque
Specifications section of this publication, and inspect shock absorbers, see
Preventive Maintenance section of this publication

Worn or damaged equalizing
beam center or end bushings

Inspect and replace as necessary

Incorrect tire inflation pressure

Correct tire pressure

Incorrect alignment

Correct the alignment, refer to the Alignment & Adjustments section

Worn torque rod bushings

Replace torque rod bushings as necessary

www.hendrickson-intl.com

Truck Commercial Vehicle Systems
800 South Frontage Road
Woodridge, IL 60517-4904 USA

17730-241 Rev A 07-18

1.866.755.5968 (Toll-free U.S. and Canada)
1.630.910.2800 (Outside U.S. and Canada)
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Information contained in this literature was accurate at the time of publication. Product changes may have been made after the copyright date that are not reflected.
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