Abstract: A method of setting the rides height of the air springs and air pressures of the tires, including receiving a user selected setting or preprogrammed ride height settings; sensing a ride height of, and air pressure within, each of the air springs; determining the weight of the vehicle based on the sensed ride height and air pressure within each of the air springs; providing specified ride heights for the left and right front and rear air springs; determining specified air pressures for the left and right front and rear tire inflators, based upon the determined weight of the vehicle and selected setting; inflating the left and right front and rear air springs to the specified ride heights; and inflating the left and right front and rear tires to the specified air pressures.

Abstract: A clamp group for a vehicle leaf spring suspension is disclosed. The clamp group secures a longitudinally disposed, leaf spring at separate and distinct locations, between which the leaf spring is undamped and spaced away from the top and bottom pads of the clamp group. Shear stress is reduced and the spring remains active throughout its length.

Abstract: A brake system component axle mount for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle so that the axle depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve. A method of forming the brake system component axle mount includes providing an axle and disposing a sleeve about the axle. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle and the sleeve. A brake mount assembly is rigidly attached to the sleeve.

Abstract: A bushing assembly for use in a vehicle suspension system includes an outer sleeve, with an elastomeric element at least partially positioned within the outer sleeve. An inner sleeve is at least partially positioned within the elastomeric element, while a bar pin having a central section is at least partially positioned within the inner sleeve. A retaining ring is positioned at or adjacent to a first end of the central section of the bar pin and at least partially within the outer sleeve. The retaining ring is positioned between the inner sleeve and at least one radially enlarged section at the first end of the central section of the bar pin and/or at least one radially inwardly directed section at a first end of the outer sleeve.

Abstract: A wheel hub for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a first and second tubular hub segment. The first tubular hub segment has a first annular end surface. The second tubular hub segment has a second annular end surface and a radially extending flange. A continuous, circumferential joint is formed at the interface of the first annular end surface and second annular end surface.

Abstract: A disc brake rotor and hub assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle. The disc brake rotor and hub assembly includes a hub portion. The hub portion is receivable on, and rotatable about, an axle spindle of a heavy-duty vehicle. A rotor portion includes a disc segment, a mounting segment and a cylindrical sleeve segment connecting the disc segment to the mounting segment. A flange portion connects with the rotor portion and separately with the hub portion. Optionally, the rotor portion connects directly to the hub portion. A smallest inner dimension of the rotor portion is greater than a largest outer dimension of the hub portion to facilitate removal of the rotor portion without removing the hub portion from the axle spindle.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a suspension assembly, an axle, and a damping means. The suspension assembly is operatively connected to the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle is operatively connected to the suspension assembly. The damping means is operatively connected to and extends between the suspension assembly and the heavy-duty vehicle. The axle/suspension system has a motion ratio of between about 1.4 to about 1.7. A method for optimizing damping of an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle includes the steps of: calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to load on a damping air spring; calculating a curve representing a damping energy relating to air flow velocity through at least one opening of the air spring; calculating an optimized motion ratio by determining an intersection of the curves; altering the geometry of the axle/suspension system to provide the axle/suspension system with the optimized motion ratio.

Abstract: An independent wheel suspension having an upper suspension having an extending first arm, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally attached to the first arm and a second end adapted for attachment to a spring, a wheel motor having a wheel motor mount positioned between the upper suspension member and the lower suspension arm, a first wheel motor linkage arm having a first end pivotally attached to the first arm of the upper suspension member and a second end pivotally attached to the wheel motor mount, a second wheel motor linkage arm having a first end pivotally attached to the lower suspension arm and a second end attached to the wheel motor mount, wherein the upper suspension member includes a spring mount adapted for attachment to a spring.

Abstract: A hub for a heavy-duty vehicle and for mounting a wheel for relative rotation comprises a substantially cylindrical body having axially opposite end portions and a longitudinal central axis. Each of a pair of bearing receiving bores is formed in the cylindrical body at a respective axially opposite end portion of the cylindrical body. A circumferential envelope has an outer diameter and is formed on the cylindrical body about one of the pair of bearing receiving bores. A flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical body at a location between the pair of bearing receiving bores. A barrel portion of the cylindrical body extends between the flange and the circumferential envelope and has an outer diameter. The hub provides sufficient strength and minimizes weight by incorporating specific longitudinal profiles and ratios and/or relationships of various dimensions of the barrel portion 104.

Abstract: A joint is formed between first and second workpieces. The first workpiece defines a cavity, while the second workpiece includes a shear member. The shear member is at least partially inserted into the cavity to secure the first workpiece to the second workpiece. One of the workpieces has a lower hardness and/or shear strength than the other workpiece and includes at least one shear tab with a base portion and an end portion. In inserting the shear member into the cavity, the end portion of the shear tab is broken away from the base portion, leaving the base portion to extend between the cavity and the shear member, thereby securing the first workpiece to the second workpiece.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system that includes a geometry that enables components of a brake system to be mounted above and be protected by a beam of the suspension assembly. In an embodiment of the suspension assembly, the beam includes a recessed area that allows a brake actuator to be positioned at least partially within or disposed adjacent the recessed area.

Abstract: A bolster spring for a vehicle suspension including a base plate, a top plate, elastomeric material positioned between the base plate and the top plate, a first flange comprising a pair of ears having a bottom mounting surface upwardly extending from a first end of the base plate at an angle ½?, and one or more mounting holes positioned in the pair of ears in the first flange adapted for attachment to a pair of ears on an upwardly extending flange on a second bolster spring.

Abstract: A bar pin bushing assembly including a bar pin having at least one end with at least one bore to receive a fastener, the at least one bore extending through the at least one end, the bar pin having a central portion having a diameter that is greater than a width or diameter of the at least one end of the bar pin, a compressible rubber section positioned around the central portion of the bar pin, the compressible rubber section further extending around downwardly tapering surfaces adjacent the central portion of the bar pin, an outer metal shell mold bonded to the compressible rubber section, a first disc insert positioned over a first end of the outer metal shell, a second disc insert positioned over a second end of the outer metal shell, and a tubular outer metal wall positioned over the outer metal shell, the first disc insert, and the second disc insert.

Abstract: Self-steering axle assembly has an axle with central tube having a longitudinal central axis. A king pin is connected with an end portion of the axle. A knuckle is connected with the king pin. The knuckle includes a torque plate section. A first arm of the knuckle extends from a side of the torque plate section and receives a first end portion of the king pin. A second arm extends from the torque plate section in the same direction as the first arm. The second arm receives a second end portion of the king pin. A spindle is friction welded to the torque plate section and has a longitudinal central axis. The torque plate section has at least one surface on the torque plate section extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the spindle. A tool engages the surface during friction welding of the spindle to the torque plate section.

Abstract: An axle/suspension assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle supported by a frame and a hanger includes a beam, an axle, and a bumper. The axle is supported by a first portion of the beam for pivotal movement of the beam relative to the hanger at a pivot joint. The first portion of the beam is located on a first side of the pivot joint. The bumper is fixed to at least one of the frame, the hanger, and a second portion of the beam. The second portion of the beam is located on an opposite second side of the pivot joint. The bumper includes a portion for contacting structure of at least another of the frame, the hanger, and the beam to limit pivotal movement of the axle in one direction.

Abstract: Composite suspension components are disclosed. The components are made from resin containing elongated fibers (8). The arms of the suspension components may receive reinforcement (40) using different devices and methods. A composite torque rod also incorporates a tunable compliance feature.

Abstract: A bar pin bushing assembly for connecting components including a bar pin having at least one end with at least one bore to receive a fastener, the bar pin having a central portion having a diameter that is greater than a width or diameter of the at least one end of the bar pin, a compressible rubber section having a uniform thickness positioned around the central portion of the bar pin, the compressible rubber section further extending around downwardly tapering surfaces adjacent the central portion of the bar pin, a plurality of outer metal shells mold bonded to the compressible rubber section, wherein when the bushing assembly is inserted into a hub, the plurality of outer metal shells are configured to radially compress the compressible rubber section to provide a precompressed bushing assembly. A method of assembling the bar pin bushing assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bushing for use in an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle. A beam supports an axle for pivotal movement with a hanger of the heavy-duty vehicle at a pivot connection. A bumper is fixed to the beam and contacts an engagement member of the heavy-duty vehicle to limit the relative pivotal movement of the beam and axle in one direction. A force is applied to the pivot connection in a force application direction that is angularly spaced from horizontal and vertical planes. The pivot connection includes a bushing to connect the beam and the hanger. The bushing includes an elastomeric bushing body with at least one void for decreasing rigidity of the bushing body in a substantially vertical direction. The one void is located in the bushing body angularly spaced from the force application direction. The bushing body is substantially solid along the force application direction.

Abstract: An automatic air suspension control system is provided for use in combination with a vehicle having a non-driven rear axle, a driven rear axle, and an air suspension associated with the rear axles to apply a load to each of the rear axles. The air suspension control system is programmed to maintain the load applied to the non-driven rear axle at a level that is less than the load applied to the driven rear axle until the load applied to the driven rear axle is equal to a threshold amount. The threshold amount may be equal to the maximum load that may be legally applied to the driven rear axle or some lower level. There may be no load applied to the non-driven rear axle prior to the load on the driven rear axle reaching the threshold amount or may be a non-zero amount.

Abstract: An axle and wheel end assembly includes a tubular axle housing with an annular end surface. The axle and wheel end assembly also includes a spindle with an annular end surface welded to the annular end surface of the tubular axle housing at an attachment periphery. The axle and wheel end assembly further includes reinforcing structure fixed to the tubular axle housing and spindle. The reinforcing structure is located to encompass at least a portion of the attachment periphery.