[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 6]
[Revised as of October 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR570.8]

[Page 196-197]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                   CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
                    SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 570_VEHICLE IN USE INSPECTION STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
          Subpart A_Vehicles With GVWR of 10,000 Pounds or Less
 
Sec.  570.8  Suspension systems.

    (a) Suspension condition. Ball joint seals shall not be cut or 
cracked. Structural parts shall not be bent or damaged. Stabilizer bars 
shall be connected. Springs shall not be broken, or extended above the 
vehicle manufacturer's design height. Spacers, if installed, shall be 
installed on both front springs, both rear springs, or on all

[[Page 197]]

four springs. Shock absorber mountings, shackles, and U-bolts shall be 
securely attached. Rubber bushings shall not be cracked, extruded out 
from or missing from suspension joints. Radius rods shall not be missing 
or damaged.
    (1) Inspection procedure. Examine front and rear end suspension 
parts for conditions indicated.
    (b) Shock absorber condition. There shall be no oil on the shock 
absorber housing attributable to leakage by the seal, and the vehicle 
shall not continue free rocking motion for more than two cycles.
    (1) Inspection procedure. Examine shock absorbers for oil leaking 
from within, then with vehicle on a level surface, push down on one end 
of vehicle and release. Note number of cycles of free rocking motion. 
Repeat procedure at other end of vehicle.

[38 FR 23950, Sept. 5, 1973, as amended at 44 FR 68470, Nov. 29, 1979]