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Suspension Failure

This is a public forum to discuss Eagle related technical issues. If you are having a problem with your Eagle, this is the place to find help.
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goldgiter
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 6:53 am
Bus Model: 1985 Eagle Model 10
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Location: Timmonsville,SC

Suspension Failure

Post by goldgiter »

Hello folks, haven't been on here in a while, hope You are all well.
I think my suspension has failed on the curb side drive axel on my bus.
We adjusted the suspension a couple of years ago and the bus has been sitting mostly with only a few short day trips.
I noticed the right side of the bus was a good bit lower than the left so I began checking to see what the problem was.
When I adjusted the suspension previously I had a couple of guys helping me and I think they lied to me about the weight on the bogie.
When I checked it myself last week it was reading 800 psi on the jack on both sides.
I made the adjustments to the bogie and remeasured the bus and the right side was 3 inches low. We adjusted the right side yesterday and when we removed the jacks it stayed in place however I have not driven it. The adjustment bolts were still quite hard to turn as if they were still under a lot of pressure.
My question is would the bogie weight being so low cause the torsilink {sp} to fail and will it continue to do so even after bogie has been adjusted properly?
Wes Jackson
85 Eagle Model 10
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DoubleEagle
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Posts: 280
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Bus Model: 1975 Model 05 Eagle
1982 Model 10 Eagle
1984 Model 10 Eagle
1994 Model 15-45 Eagle
Location: Dayton, Ohio

Re: Suspension Failure

Post by DoubleEagle »

goldgiter wrote:Hello folks, haven't been on here in a while, hope You are all well.
I think my suspension has failed on the curb side drive axel on my bus.
We adjusted the suspension a couple of years ago and the bus has been sitting mostly with only a few short day trips.
I noticed the right side of the bus was a good bit lower than the left so I began checking to see what the problem was.
When I adjusted the suspension previously I had a couple of guys helping me and I think they lied to me about the weight on the bogie.
When I checked it myself last week it was reading 800 psi on the jack on both sides.
I made the adjustments to the bogie and remeasured the bus and the right side was 3 inches low. We adjusted the right side yesterday and when we removed the jacks it stayed in place however I have not driven it. The adjustment bolts were still quite hard to turn as if they were still under a lot of pressure.
My question is would the bogie weight being so low cause the torsilink {sp} to fail and will it continue to do so even after bogie has been adjusted properly?
When you say you adjusted the bogie, does that mean you loosened up the clamping bolt and then pulled the suspension arm off the splines on the torsilastic shaft, and then put it back on in a different position? Each spline is worth about 500 lbs. of lift. Did you weigh the individual axles on a scale to see how much each is putting on the ground? When adjusting the big nuts on the rear axle, did you jack up the frame to take the weight off, and soak the threads with penetrating oil? The biggest problem is usually rust on the threads. Check the archives on this board for detailed instructions on adjusting, and the Eagle Manuals. If the adjustment does not last long, the torsion bar is getting weak. If you run out of threads to adjust with the only solutions are to re-index the bar, or replace them.
Walter
Dayton, Ohio
1975 Silvereagle Model 05, 8V71, 4 speed Spicer
1982 Eagle Model 10, 6V92, 5 speed Spicer
1984 Eagle Model 10, 6V92 w/Jacobs, Allison HT740
1994 Eagle Model 15-45, Series 60 w/Jacobs, Allison HT746
goldgiter
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 6:53 am
Bus Model: 1985 Eagle Model 10
Quit'n Time
Location: Timmonsville,SC

Re: Suspension Failure

Post by goldgiter »

Yep DoubleEagle, did everything per the instructions on this forum. Took us 10 hrs to adjust the bogies.
We have the curb side, which was the low side set at 47 in and I have about 1/2 in left on adjuster bolts on that side.
Left side needs to be raised 1 in, I have plenty of adjustment left on that side.
I am just wondering how long the adjustment on the curb side will last.
Wes Jackson
85 Eagle Model 10
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beltguy
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Bus Model: 1985 Eagle 10 with Series 60 and Eaton AutoShift 10 speed transmission (SOLD)
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Re: Suspension Failure

Post by beltguy »

Since you did it by the book and, assuming there is not an issue with the Torsilastics, the setting should outlast you.

Fun job on the bogies, huh? Got to visit the clinic when I did mine (smashed thumb).

Jim
Jim Shepherd
Evergreen, CO
'85 Eagle 10 with Series 60 & Eaton AutoShift 10 speed transmission SOLD
2005 Dodge 2500 with 5.9 Cummins and 6 speed manual 2022 Sunset 28 foot trailer
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goldgiter
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 6:53 am
Bus Model: 1985 Eagle Model 10
Quit'n Time
Location: Timmonsville,SC

Re: Suspension Failure

Post by goldgiter »

Yes it was Jim. :D I hope You are right about this adjustment outlasting me.
Wes Jackson
85 Eagle Model 10
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rusty
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Bus Model: 1972 05 completed 2003
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Re: Suspension Failure

Post by rusty »

If you can take the weight off the axles when not in use and it will for sure last. My 05 drive springs are about out of adjustment and have been that way for over 12 years but when not in use i have it jacked up. I know of 2 busses that the torsilastic let go just sitting. With the springs being in short supply it would be well worth the effort to get the weight off the springs when not in use.

Wayne
goldgiter
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 6:53 am
Bus Model: 1985 Eagle Model 10
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Location: Timmonsville,SC

Re: Suspension Failure

Post by goldgiter »

Hadn't thought of that Wayne, I will do that.We got the front adjusted yesterday. Sure am glad to be done with this!
Wes Jackson
85 Eagle Model 10
Quit'n Time
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