SPRINGS, SHOCK ABSORBERS Assembly 1. Lightly lubricate spring leaves with a thin coat of graphite  grease.  Place  spring  leaves  in  proper order and align center bolt hole with a long drift. 2. Compress spring leaves sufficiently for installing center bolt and nut. 3. Place   spring   assembly   in   vise   and   compress spring leaves fully. WARNING--WHEN ASSEMBLING SPRING LEAVES, BE CAREFUL TO PREVENT PHYSICAL   INJURY   TO   PERSONNEL.      THE USE  OF  SPECIAL   HOLDING   FIXTURES   OR "C" CLAMPS FOR HOLDING SPRING LEAVES   IN   PLACE   DURING   ASSEMBLY   IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. 4. Align spring leves by tapping with a hammer and position  rebound  clips  on  spring.  If  bolted  type clips  are  used,  install  spacers,  bolts  and  nuts. Tighten  enough  to  hold  leaves  in  alignment  but not  enough  to  restrict  free  movement.  If  clinch type clips are used, bend ends of clips down on top   leaf.   Heat   clips   with   torch   to   help   avoid breakage. Installation Before reassembly, all shackle bolts, U-bolts, etc. should be cleaned and lubricated. While   the   actual   installation   procedures   will   vary   with each   spring   type,   the   pivot   end   of   spring   is   usually fastened to frame bracket first.Shackle  end  can  then  be fastened by aligning shackle to other frame bracket. When  installing  U-bolts  for  securing  axles,  do  not  final tighten   until   springs   have   been   placed   under   normal load.  See SPECIFICATIONS for U-bolt torque. Spring  failures  may  occur  at  the  center  bolt  hole  if  U- bolts become loosened. These bolts must be retightened at the intervals specified under MAINTENANCE. SHOCK ABSORBERS DESCRIPTION Shock  absorbers  are  provided  to  control  body  sway,  to eliminate  excessive  tire  wear,  front  wheel  shimmy,  and spring  breakage.  They  also  improve  the  riding  qualities of  the  truck  and  are  especially  useful  when  the  truck  is empty or only partly loaded. The    direct-acting    type    shock    absorber    (Figure    6), sometimes called airplane type, has a sealed construction    and    requires    no    periodic    maintenance. Shock  absorbers  of  this  type  should  be  checked  every 16,000     km     (10,000     miles).     Make     sure     they     are functioning satisfactorily, that bushings are not worn, and that outer jacket has not been damaged by flying stones or  debris  from  the  road.  If  a  shock  absorber  is  leaking, fails    to    operate,    or    develops    unusual    noises,    the complete  unit  should  be  replaced.  Direct  acting  shock absorbers  are  nonrefillable  and  service  is  limited  to  unit replacement. Figure 6 --- Direct Acting Shock Absorber MOUNTING AND LINKAGE Check   for   and   correct   loose,   bent   or   broken   shock absorber   mountings   and   linkage   when   servicing   the suspension   system.   Inspect   all   rubber   bushings   and grommets  to  see  that  they  effectively  keep  metal  from striking  metal.  Link  or  bushing  wear  can  be  checked  by twisting  link  with  pliers  or  by  prying  link  connection  with screwdriver  or  small  pry  bar.  Outward  appearance  will usually reveal excessive wear. CTS-4168 - Page 4