Hendrickson HaulMaax Rear Suspension Transverse Torque
Rod Tower Bracket Replacement
Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo

Columbia
> 122SD and Coronado
> Business Class M2

Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD
New Cascadia

32-054
Freightliner
Service Bulletin

Description of Revisions: This bulletin replaces the version dated
08/05/2019. General Information has been updated.

General Information
Some vocational vehicles built with a Hendrickson HaulMaax 46,000 lb (20,865 kg) rear suspension and a
40,000 lb (18,143 kg) rear axle combination may have an incorrect transverse torque rod tower bracket installed
on the rear drive axles at the factory. This can result in cracking at the transverse rod tower where it is welded
to the axle housing, premature wearing of the transverse torque rod tapered pin and bushings, and damage to
the transverse torque rod frame bracket.
Inspect the transverse torque rod and components mentioned. If damage is noted, follow the instructions in this
bulletin to replace the components.

Parts
Parts
HDR62350 635
16-12324-000
TDA 3150P1628
23-09444-500
23-09114-000
23-13179-110

Description
CTRL ROD-TRNSV,635MM,TAPER PIN
(See Fig.1, Item 4 )
BRKT,TORQUE ROD SUSP (See
Fig.1, Item 5)
BRKT-TRACK ROD TOWER (See
Fig.1, Item 3)
SCREW-CAP,HEX5/8-11X5.00 GR (See
Fig.1, Item 7)
WASHER-HRDN,0.69X1.31X.177 (See
Fig.1, Item 8)
NUT-HEX,PT,5/8-11,C,ZC,.559 (See
Fig.1, Item 9)

Qty
2
2
2
8
16
8

Table 1, Parts Required

Transverse Torque Rod and Tower Bracket Replacement
DANGER
When working on the vehicle, shut down the engine, set the parking brake, and chock the tires. Before
working under the vehicle, always place jack stands under the frame rails to ensure the vehicle cannot
drop. Failure to follow these steps could result in serious personal injury or death.
1. Disconnect the batteries.
2. Cut the zip ties on the rearmost axle transverse torque rod, noting the location of the zip ties, lines, and
wires. Tie the wires and lines out of the way.

IMPORTANT: When removing fasteners, spacers, and shims, make sure the shims are stored so that
they will be installed in the same place.
3. Remove the three mounting fasteners from the transverse torque rod and discard the rod and fasteners.
Save the shims. See Fig. 1.

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 09/23/2019

Page 1

32-054

Hendrickson HaulMaax Rear Suspension Transverse Torque
Rod Tower Bracket Replacement

Freightliner
Service Bulletin

Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo

Columbia
> 122SD and Coronado
> Business Class M2

Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD
New Cascadia

6

5
1

2

3

8

4

10

9

8

05/15/2019

1. Nut
2. Washer
3. Transverse Torque Rod Axle
Tower Bracket

7

f321219a

4. Transverse Torque Rod
5. Transverse Torque Rod Frame
Bracket
6. Shim

7. Bolt
8. Washer
9. Nut
10. Longitudinal Torque Rod

Fig. 1, Rearmost Axle Assembly

IMPORTANT: Use grinding cloths to cover up items that need to be protected from sparks. This
includes air bags, electrical connections, hoses, and air lines.
4. Raise the rear of the truck to provide more clearance when accessing the transverse torque rod tower
bracket.

IMPORTANT: Remove the welds with minimal grinding on the axle housing.
5. Use a disc grinder to grind out the weld and remove the tower bracket. Discard the tower bracket.
6. Remove any weld residue, ridges, or ripples from the surface of the housing. All areas must be flat with the
housing wall and bracket. Do not gouge or leave sharp edges on any surface.
7. Remove the paint in a 3-inch radius from the area to be welded.
8. Clean the area using a wire brush and a cleaning solvent that will remove dirt and grease.

Page 2

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 09/23/2019

Hendrickson HaulMaax Rear Suspension Transverse Torque
Rod Tower Bracket Replacement
Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo

Columbia
> 122SD and Coronado
> Business Class M2

32-054
Freightliner
Service Bulletin

Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD
New Cascadia

B

A

06/20/2019

f321220a

NOTE: See Table 2 for values corresponding to callouts A and B.
Fig. 2, Measuring Pinion Angles

9. Measure the pinion angle of both the forward and rear drive axles. The forward drive axle pinion angle “A”
should be 3 degrees measured relative to the frame rail. The rear drive axle pinion angle “B” measured
relative to the frame rail varies depending on the axle model and beam spacing. See Table 2. If the pinion
angles are not correct, adjust the angles by adding or subtracting shims at the longitudinal torque rods.

Rear Axle
MT-40/44-14X/XP
RT-34/40/44-145
RT-40/46/50-160/164

ETN D404/405

ETN D463/DDS40

Rear Axle Pinion Angles
Beam
Spacing
A
52"
54"
60"
52"
54"
60"
52"
54"
60"
52"
54"
60"

Planing Angles

3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°
3.0°

B
11.7°
11.2°
9.9°
11.4°
10.9°
9.7°
10.2°
9.8°
8.7°
10.8°
10.3°
9.2°

Table 2, Rear Axle Pinion Angles

10. Grind off the outer coating on the surfaces of the new tower that will be welded.
11. Install the new transverse torque rod and frame bracket using the original shims. Tighten only enough to
remove play. Do not apply the final torque.
12. Attach the new tower to the torque rod. Tighten only enough to remove play. Do not apply the final torque.

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 09/23/2019

Page 3

32-054

Hendrickson HaulMaax Rear Suspension Transverse Torque
Rod Tower Bracket Replacement

Freightliner
Service Bulletin

Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo

Columbia
> 122SD and Coronado
> Business Class M2

Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD
New Cascadia

13. Mark the center of the axle and the center of the tower bracket for ease of alignment when tack welding the
bracket to the housing. See Fig. 3.

B

A

05/15/2019

f321221a

A. Measure and mark the center of the axle housing.

B. Measure and mark the center of the tower bracket.

Fig. 3, Aligning the Tower Bracket and Axle Housing

14. Use the bracket attached to the new rod to establish the new position of the tower bracket. Using the lateral
center line marks, make sure the transverse torque rod is as perpendicular to the frame rail as possible.

WARNING
The axle housing must be 70°F (21°C) or warmer before you weld onto the axle. Do not weld onto a cold
axle or cold part. Cracks in the weld area, damage to components, and serious personal injury can
result.
15. Ensure that the axle housing temperature measures 70°F (21°C) or warmer. If the axle housing temperature
measures less than 70°F (21°C), store the axle in a heated room until the housing reaches the correct
temperature.

IMPORTANT: Any welding must be done by a certified welder.
16. Preheat the joint to approximately 300°F (149°C) before welding.
17. Select suitable weld wire electrodes for the weld. Suitable weld wire electrodes include either BS EN 499 E 42 2 B 32 H5 or BS EN 440 - G 42 2 M GSi (American Welding Society equivalents E7018 and ER70S3,
respectively).
18. Attach the ground cable as near as possible to the weld area and only to components welded on the axle,
such as a housing spring pad. Do not attach the ground cable at a suspension spring, U-bolt, or at a point
that places a wheel bearing between the ground connection and the weld area.

Page 4

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 09/23/2019

Hendrickson HaulMaax Rear Suspension Transverse Torque
Rod Tower Bracket Replacement
Century Class Conventional
Argosy COE
Cargo

Columbia
> 122SD and Coronado
> Business Class M2

32-054
Freightliner
Service Bulletin

Cascadia
> 108SD/114SD
New Cascadia

19. Press the bracket tight against the axle housing to reduce gaps, then tack weld the tower bracket into
place.
20. Remove the new torque rod in preparation for final welding of the tower bracket.
21. Preheat the joint to approximately 300°F (149°C) before welding.
22. Weld the tower bracket onto the axle housing on the three accessible sides. Lay a full fillet in a single pass
on each side. The fillet should be 0.315 to 0.50 in (8 to 12.7 mm). Unless otherwise specified, the depth of
fusion on the bracket is 0.063 in (1.5 mm), +0.05/-0.0 in (+1.27/-0.0 mm). The tolerance applies to weld size
and depth of fusion.
23. Back fill the ends of the weld 0.315 to 0.512 in (8 to 13 mm) to eliminate craters.
24. Weld the remaining side of the tower bracket, back filling to create a continuous weld.
25. Verify that the weld has a flat or slightly convex contour with a sufficient depth of fusion on both side walls.
A concave contour is not allowed because it reduces the throat dimension of the weld. See Fig. 4.

OK

OK

04/09/2014

OK
f321181

Fig. 4, Acceptable Weld Contours

26. Clean up all the metal shavings and dust on the chassis that resulted from grinding and welding.
27. Once the weld is cool, clean the surrounding area and apply primer and paint to all the exposed metal.
28. Lower the axles to ride height.
29. Install the torque rod and hand-tighten the fasteners.
30. Tighten the torque rod fasteners on the frame side 128 lbf·ft (173 N·m), and the torque rod pin side 375 to
425 lbf·ft (508 to 576 N·m).
31. Remove the jacks.
32. Tie the cables to the torque rod with zip ties.
33. Connect the batteries. Tighten the connectors 10 to 15 lbf·ft (14 to 20 N·m).

Warranty
This procedure is warrantable only if the described condition exists and the repair is performed within the
applicable base or extended coverage warranty period. If a failure is not found, this procedure is considered
preventive and warranty does not apply.

Primary Failed Part
11-11267-000

Correction
Code
03

OWL VMRS Codes and Labor Allowance
VMRS
Description
Cause Code SRT Code
Code
016BRKT14
623-5010A
005-024 TRKBAR,ETNDP,DS+,ROK 6"

Time: Hours
3.5

Table 3, OWL VMRS Codes and Labor Allowance

Freightliner Service Bulletin, 09/23/2019

Page 5