Md. Code Regs. 11.22.03.03
Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 19, September 20, 2024
Section 11.22.03.03 - SuspensionA. Spring and Attachments. Unequal vehicle height, broken ordamaged spring leaves, spring shackles, bushings, center bolts, U-bolts, control arms, torque arms, torsion bars, or equalizers can affect vehicle steering, alignment, tracking, handling, and stability. With vehicle on a level surface, inspect: | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Vehicle height. | (1) Uneven vehicle height permits tire or wheel contact with body or suspension parts. |
| (2) Springs. | (2) A spring leaf is broken, damaged, or missing. |
| (3) Spring shackles. | (3) Spring shackle is broken, loose, cracked, worn, or damaged. |
| (4) Bushings. | (4) Bushings are loose or missing. |
| (5) Center bolts. | (5) Spring center bolt is broken or missing. |
| (6) U-bolts. | (6) A U-bolt is broken, loose, or missing. |
| (7) Control arms. | (7) A control arm is bent, missing, or has a welded repair. |
| (8) Torque arms. | (8) A torque arm is bent, missing, or has a welded repair. |
| (9) Torsion bars. | (9) Torsion bar is loose, broken, or damaged. |
| (10) Equalizers. | (10) An equalizer is cracked, broken, or has a welded repair. |
B. Torsion Bar. All other suspension components shall be inspected the same as leaf spring suspension. | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Apply brakes, with engine running and transmission in gear. Slowly engage clutch and apply torque to drive wheels. Observe play in front mounting. | (1) Play exceeds 1/8 inch. |
| (2) Place pry bar between frame and torsion bar. Observe play in rear mounting, bushing, and pin. | (2) Play exceeds 1/8 inch. |
C. Coil Springs and Mountings. Visually inspect coil springs,control arms, rear torque arms, axle strut (when equipped), and front and rear stabilizer bar (when equipped). | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Coil springs. | (1) Spring is broken or sagging and lowers a corner of the vehicle more than 2 inches. |
| (2) Control arms. | (2) Control arm is bent, cracked, has a welded repair, or bushings are loose. |
| (3) Torque arms (if equipped). | (3) Torque arm is missing, bent, cracked, loose, or has a welded repair. |
| (4) Axle struts (if equipped). | (4) Axle strut is missing, bent, cracked, has a welded repair, or bushings are loose. |
| (5) Radius arms (if equipped). | (5) Radius arm is missing, bent, cracked, has a welded repair, or bushings are loose. |
| (6) Stabilizer bars (if equipped). | (6) Stabilizer bar is missing, disconnected, broken, loose, damaged, or has a welded repair. |
D. Rubber Load Cushions. All other suspension components shall be inspected the same as leaf spring suspension. | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Apply brakes, with engine running and transmission in gear, release clutch slowly to take up the slack, and inspect all attachments. | (1) Any mounting or attachment play exceeds 1/8 inch. |
| (2) Inspect all rubber pads and blocks. | (2) Rubber block is missing or rubber pad is split. |
E. Tandem Axle Walking Beams. | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Inspect rubber insert in bushings. | (1) Rubber is dispersed from bushing resulting in visible movement between the bushing, insert or mounting bolts or pins. Compression of the rubber insert during vehicle movement is not cause for rejection. |
F. Air Suspension (All Axles). Two procedures are required to inspect air suspension systems. | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Apply air pressure and observe air pressure in braking system when suspension begins to lift vehicle. | (1) Suspension begins to lift vehicle before air pressure in the braking system reaches 55 psi. |
| (2) With normal air pressure in system, inspect: (a) Bushings. (b) Pivots. (c) Lines. (d) Air bags. (e) Shock absorbers, if equipped. (f) Air supply. (g) Suspension height. | (2) (a) Any bushing is loose. (b) A pivot is loose or worn. (c) Any line is cracked, broken, crushed, or leaks. (d) Air bag is cut, has an air leak, vehicle body and chassis is unsupported, and axle or body or chassis leans to one side. (e) Shock absorber is missing, broken, or disconnected. (f) Air supply is connected to main line or wet reservoir, or pressure protection valve is missing. (g) Suspension height does not meet manufacturer's specification. |
G. Air Suspension Nondriving Rear Axle. Inspection is conducted with normal air pressure in suspension system. | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Operate lift control and observe response of retractable axle. | (1) Axle does not respond to lift control switch on valve. |
| (2) Inspect for air leaks with retractable axle in both up and down position, and inspect for air pressure loss in one-way valves. | (2) Air leak is evident when axle is in up or down position or there is air pressure loss at tag suspension. |
H. Shock Absorbers (if Equipped). Shock absorber inspection includes leakage, mounting, and all related attachments. When originally equipped with shock absorbers, inspect for: | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Presence. | (1) Shock absorber is missing when originally equipped. |
| (2) Proper mounting. | (2) Shock absorber is not properly and adequately mounted. |
| (3) Leakage. | (3) There is visible leakage. Slight dampness is not cause for rejection. |
| (4) Condition of bushings. | (4) Any bushing is loose or missing. |
I. Road Clearance. | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Visually inspect for any suspension, frame, or body parts extending below the bottom edge of wheel rims. | (1) Any part extends below the lowest point of any wheel rim. |
J. Kingpins. Raise or jack the vehicle by the frame or suspension. Brakes should be applied to eliminate wheel bearing play. | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Grasp wheel and tire assembly at top and bottom and rock in and out. Observe movement at top or bottom of tire. | (1) Movement exceeds the following: Wheel size 16 inches or less-1/4 inch. 17-18 inches-3/8 inch. More than 18 inches-1/2 inch. |
| (2) Place a bar under the tire and move tire and wheel assembly up and down. Observe movement between spindle support and axle. | (2) Vertical movement exceeds 3/32 inch. |
K. Ball Joints. Inspect ball joints for vertical and horizontal movement, modifications, and damage. | Procedures: | Reject Vehicle If: |
| (1) Visually inspect ball joints for modifications or conditions which disguise wear. | (1) Ball joints are injected with plastic or modified in any way that disguises wear. |
| (2) Raise vehicle to unload ball joints and measure vertical and horizontal movement. | (2) Horizontal or vertical movement exceeds manufacturer's specifications. |
Md. Code Regs. 11.22.03.03