I was pulled over for a routine inspection today by Illinois State Police, and my truck was put out of service for a broken spring clip. He called it an "axle stabilizer" on the ticket but this has nothing to do with the axle, it is just a U bolt that keeps the springs from slapping when they bounce up and down. Each spring had 4, and one was broken. As far as I know most trucks don't even have these so to be put OOS for something that isn't even needed seems extremely ridiculous to me. I can't seem to find any information on anything related to specific regulations and I plan on filing a complaint against the officer as his ignorance cost me a lot of money today. I am simply looking for some advice however as I am not 100% sure that there isn't some obscure regulation relating to this and that maybe the officer was not technically correct in putting me OOS. If anyone knows about this regulation or where I can find info on it I would appreciate it.

Illinois?? dot officer?? yea good luck with that..look at safety regs, 396.9 (C) also 396.3 (1) also 392.2,, 390.9 thats all i can find that pertains to your situation.

Those are pretty much what I was looking for- thanks for that.
Wow those are some loose laws though- why don't they just say "if the cops wants to write you they will" ? I suppose it is what it is. Illinois is a bad state for trucks I suppose? I have only been driving for two years, and only local (in Illinois) so I really don't have a frame of reference.

Laws are made so they can make money not you.But I bet if you would have removed it before getting checked DOT would never have noticed it gone.

Here's what I found under Illinois out of service criteria. section 393.2000, this reg gives the Illinois state police the authroity to place you OOS for any violation of the Illinois Motor Carrier Safey Law (625ILCS 5/ch.18B or under the North American Uniform Out-of-Service Criteria as defined at 92 Ill.adm. Code 390.1020. I would say that's where you'll find the specific guildlines but you'll have to do your own reserach. I know the FMCSR's are very vague when it comes to OSS so I think if you're going to fight this in anyway you should have the specifics.

Illinois is VERY bad for trucks . They have zero tolerance for axle weights at scales . If you're a little over on an axle you'll stay there until it's right .

lol I thought zero tolerance on axle weights was just normal- I was 100 pounds over on my rears one time (according to their little bathroom scales as I call them). Those things are not even supposedly accurate to 100 lb intervals and it was still a 300 dollar ticket. I suppose Illinois is not a good state to be driving a truck in.

I have crossed the scales many times over on the axles with no problems. They let you be about 500 over.

I was told by a Texas DOT once regarding chicken lights....they ain't required to be there, but if they're there they're required to work.

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I really wanna care, I wanna feel something. Lemme dig a little deeper...Sorry, nothing.

All lights that are on the truck are required to work.