Suspensions may seem like solid, uncomplicated mechanisms that don’t need any maintenance — but they aren’t, and they do. Here’s a general guide to basic suspension maintenance that applies to any vehicle and any suspension.

Get the maintenance manual. You can't perform the proper maintenance on a component without a maintenance manual. That applies to suspensions as much as it does to engines and pumps. The new NFPA 1911 standard requires “… maintenance and repairs shall be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations” and “… at least as frequently as recommended by the manufacturer….” Those recommendations will include specific instructions on what components to check, adjust, or replace; what tools or methods to use; and how often to do it.

Inspection. Periodic inspections will help detect loose fasteners, deformed or broken components, signs of wear and other potential problems before they cause more serious problems. These inspections may be visual or may require manipulation of the components to detect unacceptable motion.

Lubrication. Many suspension components require periodic lubrication. The maintenance manual will include the specific types and grades of lubricants, as well as the frequency of lubrication. The manual also may include procedures to follow if the components will not accept lubricants.

Adjustment. Some suspensions may require periodic measurement of certain components and adjustments to bring those values back to the accepted range. Re-torquing fasteners is one common adjustment. There may be specific instructions on the re-torquing sequence or on the specific torque values based on the model or size of component.

Replacement. In some cases, certain components may have to be replaced based on wear, age, or other factors. Pins, bearings, wear pads and air bags are among the components that may have to be checked and replaced. The maintenance manual should include instructions for removal of the old components and installation of the new components.

Whatever suspensions are on your apparatus, make sure to include the proper maintenance procedures and frequencies to your preventive maintenance program. The difference between a working suspension and a hunk of metal is often only a little maintenance.