Pete's Flex Air Suspension

      The Flex Air saves something like 400 pounds over Pete's Low Air Leaf and is rated 38,000 pounds. It has a lightweight extruded aluminum beam with the air spring at the rear and the unique taper leaf at the front. Suspension and shock brackets are all in aluminum contributing to the weight savings.
      The Flex Air was developed over a number of years by Peterbilt engineers at the Paccar Technical Center in Washington. The target was to achieve the weight savings with enhanced ride at no loss of reliability and durability. To ensure it met the durability goals, millions of miles of testing were completed in fleets here in North America and in punishing operations down in Australia.
      Several other advantages of the Flex Air include the elimination of periodic lubrication through the use of rubber bushings ­ also eliminating noise and high frequency vibration. And the axle-seat weldings have been eliminated to allow for simpler setting of pinion angle and other alignment issues.

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