Specifications

17730-248 43 Alignment & Adjustments

AIRTEK

•

SOFTEK

for Blue Bird Buses

AIRTEK RIDE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

1. Drive the vehicle onto a level surface.

2. Free and center all suspension joints by slowly moving vehicle back and forth several

times without using the brakes. It is important when coming to a complete stop to ver-

ify that the brakes are released.

3. Chock front wheels.

NOTE Hendrickson recommends the following be performed during any type of ride height

adjustment to help prevent socket head cap screws from loosening from the height control

valve housing, and any subsequent air leaks from the height control valve.

4. Prior to adjusting the height control valve, clean the threads of the ¼" valve mounting

fasteners to remove any debris and corrosion.

PRIOR TO AND DURING DEFLATION AND INFLATION OF THE FRONT AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM,

ENSURE THAT ALL PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT ARE CLEAR FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND

AROUND THE SERVICE AREA, FAILURE TO DO SO CAN CAUSE SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY,

DEATH, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

5. See additional Air Spring Cautions and Warnings in the Important Safety Notice Section

of this publication prior to inflating or deflating the suspension system.

SERVICE HINT It is very important that the leveling valve be cycled completely before and after any ride

height adjustments. This cycling of the leveling valve will help to make the adjustment as

accurate as possible.

6. Detach the upper rubber grommet of the height control valve linkage from the upper stud

and exhaust the suspension system air by lowering the height control valve linkage arm.

7. Re-attach the upper grommet of the height control valve linkage onto the upper stud to

fill the suspension system with air. Wait until the airflow to front air springs has stopped.

8. Measure the suspension reference ride height on the shock absorber, see Figures 8-12

and 8-13, measuring from the center of the top mounting bolt to the center of the bot-

tom mounting bolt.

FIGURE 8-12

FIGURE 8-13

SERVICE MANUAL

FRONT AXLE & SUSPENSION

APPENDIX