Volvo Truck Suspension Parts: To Give You a Softer Ride

The suspension is a very important part of a truck. It is the system of linkages between the hauls, the shock absorber and springs. This is what will absorb the vibration of the vehicle driving on the road and absorb the shocks that are received from driving on rough terrain. The suspension supports the braking system and enables it to react efficiently by instantly braking when required.

Good suspension parts are not only important for absorbing the shocks while driving, it is important to prevent the occupants of the truck from feeling those shocks. Volvo has been around for 80 years and in that time they have tried to perfect their suspension system and its parts.

Since, trucks have trailers attached behind, they have front and rear suspensions. Volvo trucks have an air suspension system which not only stabilizes the ride, but also increases its comfort. At the rear cab there are suspension air bags that are positioned outside the rails' frame. This gives the cab greater stability while turning. There are lateral shock absorbers that minimize the swaying of the cab. Rubber dampeners that are hardened and are used in the suspension system, which absorb any severe shocks received to the cab.

Then there is the Volvo T-Ride suspension that has rubber towers and trunnion-mounted springs that give the truck excellent track even under the worst driving conditions. This plays a big role in off-road driving situations.

Here are Volvo Truck suspension parts based on the different models:

VN 780 / VN 730

This series has the following suspension parts:

  • Front Suspension
    • 59 inch Parabolic leaf spring (12,500, 13,200 and 14,600 pounds)
    • Hendrickson Airtek (12,500, 13,200 and 14,600 pounds)
  • Rear Suspension
    • Volvo Air Suspension (38,000-46,000 pounds)
    • Hendrickson HAS (40,000-46,000 pounds)
    • Volvo PRIMAAX EX (40,000-46,000 pounds)

VN 670 / VN 630 / VN 430 / VNL Daycab

This series has the following suspension parts:

  • Front Suspension
    • 59 inch Parabolic leaf spring (12,500, 13,200, 14,600 and 16,000 pounds)
    • Hendrickson Airtek (12,500, 13,200 and 14,600 pounds)
  • Rear Suspension
    • Volvo Air Suspension (20,000-46,000 pounds)
    • Volvo T-Ride (40,000 and 46,000 pounds with 2, 3 and 5 leaf)
    • Hendrickson HAS (40,000 and 46,000 pounds)
    • Volvo PRIMAAX EX (40,000 and 46,000 pounds)

VNM Daycab

This series has the following suspension parts:

  • Front Suspension
    • Parabolic leaf spring (12,000, 12,500, 13,200 and 14,600 pounds)
    • Hendrickson Airtek (12,000, 12,500 and 13,200 pounds)
  • Rear Suspension
    • Volvo Air Suspension (20,000-46,000 pounds)
    • Volvo T-Ride (40,000 pounds with 2 and 5 leaf)
    • Hendrickson HAS (40,000 pounds)

VHD Series

This series has the following suspension parts:

  • Front Suspension
    • Parabolic leaf spring (12,500 and 14,600 pounds)
    • Multi-lead spring (16,500, 18,800, 20,800 and 22,800 pounds)
    • Multi-lead spring on the Left-Hand or Right-Hand stiffer
  • Rear Suspension
    • Volvo T-Ride (40,000-46,000 pounds with 2 and 5 leaf)
    • Hendrickson HAS (40,000-46,000 pounds)
    • Hendrickson HAULMAAX (40,000-46,000 pounds)
    • Hendrickson RT (40,000-58,000 pounds)
    • Volvo PRIMAAX EX (40,000-46,000 pounds)
    • PRIMAAX Tridem (50,000-62,000 pounds)

* Please note: Weights depicted in brackets are the parts supporting weights.

All of the above listed parts are fitted as standard and have been designed to ensure the suspension on the truck adheres to the road and the driver in the best possible way. These suspension parts are not usually thought of as a deciding factor when picking the truck that suits you but are what makes a noticeable difference between the different types of truck.

So when you go to buy your next truck think about the smoothness of the ride and pay homage to the designers and manufacturers for the time and effort that has been put in to perfect the Volvo truck suspension parts.



Source by Chris McKendrick