Specifications

Component Replacement 72 17730-248
AIRTEK
®
•
SOFTEK
®
for Blue Bird Buses
AIRTEK TOP AXLE WRAP (In Chassis)
DISASSEMBLY
1. Place the vehicle on level floor.
2. Chock the wheels.
3. Raise the frame.
4. Support the vehicle with frame stands.
5. Suspend the front axle to remove the load from the spring and wrap leaf assembly.
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.
6. See additional Air Spring Cautions and Warnings in the Important Safety Notice Section
of this publication prior to inflating or deflating the suspension system.
AIR SPRINGS MUST BE DEFLATED PRIOR TO LOOSENING ANY CLAMP GROUP HARDWARE.
UNCONSTRAINED AIR SPRINGS CAN VIOLENTLY SHIFT, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY, DEATH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
7. Deflate the air springs by disconnecting the height control valve linkage and lowering
the height control valve arm. This will exhaust the air pressure in the air springs.
8. Disconnect the air lines at the air springs.
9. Remove the air spring (See Air Spring disassembly in this section).
10. Support the axle with a jack.
11. Remove the front and rear M20 spring eye bolts, washers and locknuts.
SERVICE HINT A bottle jack may be required to raise the axle slightly in order to remove spring eye bolts.
DO NOT USE A CUTTING TORCH TO REMOVE CLAMP GROUP BOLTS OR ATTACHING
FASTENERS. THE USE OF SUCH HEAT ON SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT
THE STRENGTH OF THESE PARTS. A COMPONENT DAMAGED IN THIS MANNER CAN RESULT IN
THE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
SERVICE HINT If a clamp group nut fails to come off bolt, cut half way through the bolt with an abrasive
cut off wheel, taking care not to contact axle beam or other components. Using an impact
wrench, spin the locknut to fracture the bolt and remove.
12. Remove the ¾" clamp group bolts, washers and locknuts. Discard fasteners.
13. Remove the top pad, the galvanized liner, and the bottom axle wrap.
14. Remove the lower shock mounting bolt.
15. Remove the spring and wrap leaf assembly
16. Strike the axle wrap with a dead blow mallet at the front and rear on the underside of
the axle wrap to dislodge it from the axle, see Figure 9-30.
17. Clean and inspect the axle wrap and axle wrap line for cracks or damage, replace each
if cracks or damage are present.
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APPENDIX
SERVICE MANUAL