Technical
Procedure

Trailer Suspension systems
HT250YS Y-beam Suspension

SUBJECT: HT250YS Reinforcement Kit
Installation Procedure
LIT NO: T42004 
DATE: January 2019
Areas where
cracking may occur

Figure 1: HT250YS inspection areas

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICES

Hendrickson literature number T12007 Technical
Procedure General Safety Precautions and Information,
available at www.Hendrickson-intl.com/TrailerLit,
includes important preparation, precautionary and
safety information pertaining to the procedures
included in this document.
To help prevent personal injury and equipment
damage; warnings, cautions and other relative
statements included in T12007 are to be read
carefully and applied during the performance of the
procedures included in this document.
Improper maintenance, service or repair can cause
damage to the vehicle and other property, personal
injury, unsafe operating conditions and potentially void
the manufacturer’s warranty.

INTRODUCTION

This technical procedure covers appropriate next steps
after a fleet, or repair facility, contacts Hendrickson with
the results of their inspection of applicable HT250YS
Y-beam suspensions per Hendrickson literature number
T49001 HT250YS Recommended Inspection. If cracks
are identified in the yoke section of either of the HT250
YS suspension trailing arm Y-beams and Hendrickson
Trailer Technical Services determines such Y-beam
yokes can be repaired, Hendrickson will provide a
reinforcement kit for both Y-beams. The components in
the kit must be installed per the following instructions.
The service parts
kit includes two
reinforcement plates
(Figure 2) and all the
components required to
perform a repair for one
complete suspension, two
HT250YS Y-beams.

Figure 2: Reinforcement plate

HT250YS Reinforcement Kit Installation Procedure
PROCEDURE FOR ATTACHING
REINFORCEMENT PLATE

3. If the ride height is greater than 6.5 inches, skip
to Step 6.

The two reinforcement plates, within the provided kit,
are to be installed on both existing HT250YS Y-beam
suspension beams when cracks have been identified
on either beam during the inspection described within
T49001.

NOTE: For suspensions with 6.5 inch ride height,
there is not enough room to lower the beam
horizontal as shown in Figure 4. The trailer may
need to be raised higher and the following
additional steps will need to be performed.

It is not necessary to completely remove the axle/
beam weldment from the trailer when installing the
reinforcement kit only.

4. Support the axle and remove wheels on both sides.

DISASSEMBLY AND PREP

6. Remove and discard lower shock mount bolt and
hardened washers from both sides.

5. Remove air springs.

1. Review and understand these procedures and
applicable information contained in Hendrickson
literature number T12007 Technical Procedure
General Safety Precautions and Information,
available at www.Hendrickson-intl.com/TrailerLit.

7. Disassemble the pivot connection (Figure 3 items
3, 4, 5 & 6) on both sides of the trailer. Discard
bushing tube spacers (item 3), pivot bolt (item 6),
nut and washers.

2. Prepare trailer for service as defined in T12007 and
use jack stands to safely support the trailer.
IMPORTANT: If a crack has progressed more than
half way across the top plate (as shown
in Hendrickson literature number
T49001 HT250YS Y-beam Suspension
Inspection), the axle/beam weldment
will need to be removed from the trailer.
The cracked beam will then be replaced
(refer to Hendrickson literature number
L64 Weld Parameters for procedures).
The existing opposite beam will require
the addition of the suspension beam
reinforcement. To do so, follow this
procedure, starting at Step 8.

Figure 4: Front end of HT250YS Y-beam at horizontal

8. Tilt the suspension beams as shown in Figure 4.
IMPORTANT: Attachment (welding) of the
reinforcement plates must be done with
the front section of the beam close to
a horizontal position to prevent weld
material from flowing to one end of the
slot.
Y-beam
top plate

Trailer
frame
rail

1
XXXXXX
XXX
XX
XX
XX
XX
X

X
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX
XX

XXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXX
X
XXX

XX

2

Area to prep
for weld

3
6

Figure 5: Prep contact surface and clean for welding.

5

9. Remove all surface coating on the area to be
prepped, as shown in Figure 5, and properly prepare
area for welding. Ensure entire area under the
reinforcement plate is cleaned and smooth.

4

Figure 3: HT250YS QUIK-ALIGN® pivot connection hardware

2

T42004

HT250YS Reinforcement Kit Installation Procedure
2. Clamp reinforcement plate onto beam (Figure 7)
and remove, as much as possible, any existing
gaps.

Back edge
contacting
top plate

3. Tack weld reinforcement plate onto top plate as
shown in Figure 7.
X
Align inner and
outer edges
Figure 6: Reinforcement plate mating to HT250YS Y-beam top plate.

Apply
clamps
here

10. Place the reinforcement plate over the beam
top plate and ensure the bottom surface of the
reinforcement plate mates to the top surface of the
beam top plate at all points (Figure 6).

Tack
weld
here

X

NOTE: If the reinforcement plate does not fully mate
with the suspension beam top plate (Figure 6),
CONTACT HENDRICKSON.

Figure 8: Clamping of ends to surface

4. Clamp down legs of reinforcement plate to the top
plate surface, Figure 8.

The reinforcement plate must be:
• Aligned closely with the contour of the top plate.
• Mated as tightly as possible to the top surface of the
HT250YS Y-beam top plate.

5. Tack weld reinforcement plate onto top plate, as
shown in Figure 8, and then remove clamps.

ATTACH REINFORCEMENT PLATES
Refer to Hendrickson literature number L64 Welding
Procedures for weld parameters and specifications.

.375
.375

1. Align reinforcement plate to top plate, Figure 6.

.375
.375

Apply
clamps
here

Tack
weld
here

Figure 9: Slot welds

X

6. Slot weld the four slots full length and in the
direction shown in Figure 9. May require more than
one pass to fill each slot.

X

7. Clean as needed and reapply surface coat as
needed.
8. Reassemble beam to trailer frame. Refer to
Hendrickson literature number L579 Alignment
Procedures. Use new shock mounting hardware,
bushing tube spacers and pivot bolts provided with
the kit.
Close gap
to top plate

9. Realign axle per L579.

Figure 7: Clamp and tack weld

T42004 

3

WARRANTY COVERAGE

−− Failure information

Hendrickson extends warranty coverage for the
replacement of beam weldment assemblies on all
affected HT250YS Y-beam suspension systems. Please
use the following warranty claim administration
details, and refer to Hendrickson literature number
L583 Comprehensive Warranty Statement (available
at www.Hendrickson-intl.com/TrailerLit) for additional
information.
A. If your fleet decides to have a repair facility install
the reinforcement kit, such facilities should first
login directly to the Hendrickson online warranty
system with a user ID and password, in order to file a
warranty claim directly with Hendrickson online at
https://extranet1.Hendrickson-intl.com/WCS.
B. Otherwise, CONTACT HENDRICKSON for assistance.
Including photos, please be prepared to provide
the following required information defined in L583
heading “Required Claim Information” on page 5:

»» Description of failure:
»» Date of failure:
»» Parts used or required for the repair:
−− Contact information
»» Name of repair facility:
»» Contact name:
»» Contact address:
»» Ship to address:
»» Phone:
»» Fax:

»» Manufacturer:

»» Email:
C. Hendrickson will provide a reinforcement kit for
each affected HT250YS Y-beam suspension system.
If required, a replacement beam(s) will also be
provided. Please be advised, per L583 page 2,
Hendrickson does not reimburse for any purchased
parts or additional costs that may be incurred when
replacement parts or materials are not acquired
through Hendrickson.
D. If applicable, tag the original (removed) Y-beam(s)
with the specific claim # and return to Hendrickson.
CONTACT HENDRICKSON to coordinate for a carrier
pickup, if needed.
E. Labor allowances for the warranty claim will be
reimbursed at the repair facility’s posted retail labor
rate (L583, page 2 and 17):
−− Reinforcement kit only (two plates) - 4 hrs.
−− One beam replacement - 7.5 hrs.
Includes reinforcement kit on both beams and
alignment.
−− Two beams replacement - 14 hrs.
Includes reinforcement kit on both beams and
alignment.

»» Type (Vocation):
(example; Dry Freight Van, Reefer Van)

CONTACT HENDRICKSON

ID tag
could be inward
or outward on
either beam
Figure 10: HT250YS ID tag location

−− Suspension information (Figure 10)
»» Model number:
»» Serial number:
−− Trailer information
»» VIN:
»» In-service date or Date of Manufacture:

−− Customer information
»» Fleet/Owner Name:
»» Unit # (if applicable):

For further assistance or any questions, please contact
Hendrickson Trailer Technical Services, in the United
States and Canada at 866–RIDEAIR (743–3247) or
email HTTS@Hendrickson-intl.com.

Call Hendrickson at 866.RIDEAIR (743.3247) for additional information.

www.hendrickson-intl.com

TRAILER COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SYSTEMS
2070 Industrial Place SE
Canton, OH 44707-2641 USA
866.RIDEAIR (743.3247)
330.489.0045 • Fax 800.696.4416

Hendrickson Canada
250 Chrysler Drive, Unit #3
Brampton, ON Canada L6S 6B6
800.668.5360
905.789.1030 • Fax 905.789.1033

Hendrickson Mexicana
Circuito El Marqués Sur #29
Parque Industrial El Marqués
Pob. El Colorado, Municipio El Marqués,
Querétaro, México C.P. 76246
+52 (442) 296.3600 • Fax +52 (442) 296.3601

T42004 01-19 ECN 32102
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.

©2019 Hendrickson USA, L.L.C. All Rights Reserved

Printed in United States of America