Abstract: A tool for measuring dimensions of disc brake components has an elongated first member. The elongated first member has a first tip extending transversely from the first member. The first tip has a first projection at an end portion of the first tip. An elongated second member is relatively movable to first member. The second member has a second tip extending transversely from the second member in the same direction as the first tip of the first member. The second tip has a second projection at an end portion of the second tip and extends in a direction towards the first projection. First indicia are provided on the first and second members to indicate the relative distance between the first and second projections when measuring an object located between the first and second projections.

Abstract: A tone ring attachment for a disc brake rotor. The disc brake rotor has a disc portion that includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced lugs. Each one of the lugs has a groove. A discrete tone ring body has a plurality of bosses. Each one of the bosses is receivable in a respective one of the grooves in the lugs. A dart projection extends from at least one of the bosses. The dart projection engages a respective one of the lugs to inhibit relative axial movement and relative rotational movement in at least one direction between the tone ring and the disc brake rotor. A tab is formed on at least one of the bosses. The tab is engageable with a portion of the lug to inhibit relative rotational movement in a second direction opposite the first direction between the tone ring and disc brake rotor.

Abstract: A steering centering/damping mechanism for a steerable heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system which includes a mechanically operated structure that provides a positive steering centering force to the axle/suspension system at a zero steer angle. The mechanically operated structure of the steering centering/damping mechanism also provides a positive steering centering force that increases in intensity as the steer angle of the axle/suspension system increases. In an embodiment of the steering centering/damping mechanism, the mechanically operated structure is a flat spring integrated into one or more steering assemblies of the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A slider suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a slider assembly with a main member that is movable relative to a primary frame of the heavy-duty vehicle in a first direction along the extent of the main member. The main member has a first portion and a second portion extending transverse to the first portion. A friction reducing slider wear pad is fixed to the main member and interposed between the main member and the primary frame. The friction reducing slider wear pad has a first segment fixed to the first portion of the main member. The friction reducing slider wear pad also has a second segment engaging at least a part of the second portion of the main member to inhibit movement of the friction reducing pad relative to the main member in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A heavy-duty vehicle brake hardware mounting component that includes an integrated axle vent system and optional air supply line connector. The brake hardware mounting component includes a body with a central opening disposed around and rigidly attached to an axle of the vehicle. An annular groove is formed within the central opening and is in fluid communication with an axle opening. The air supply line connector is attached within an opening formed in the body and extends through the groove and into the axle opening, and enables attachment of and fluid communication between components of a tire inflation system within the axle and an external air source. Pressurized air from within the axle can flow through the axle opening, around the air supply line connector, through the annular groove, through a check valve in fluid communication with the groove, and to atmosphere to relieve air pressure build-up within the axle.

Abstract: An air disc brake system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprising an axle. A spindle is attached to an end portion of the axle. At least a portion of an air disc brake assembly is supported by the spindle. A suspension beam has an axle support portion connectable with the axle. An end portion of the suspension beam is spaced from the axle support portion for attachment with the heavy-duty vehicle. The suspension beam may pivot about the end portion of the suspension beam. An actuator actuates the air disc brake assembly. The actuator has a movable member to actuate the air disc brake assembly. Structure is associated with the suspension beam for supporting at least a portion of the actuator. A surface defines an opening in the suspension beam through which the movable member may extend or that may receive and support a portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A mechanical down-stop for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems which includes an angled bracket that is rigidly/stiffly attached to the vehicle frame at one end, and is attached to a flexible portion of the mechanical down-stop at its other end. The flexible portion is attached to a beam of the axle/suspension system. The angled bracket is formed of an elastically deformable material and includes a bend that enables the bracket to act as a spring. The angled bracket and the flexible portion limit downward movement and react the downward force of the beam.

Abstract: An axle depends from a heavy-duty vehicle. Each one of a pair of wheel end assemblies is mounted on a respective one of the ends of the axle. Each wheel end assembly includes a pair of bearings mounted on a spindle of the axle, and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings. A cavity is formed in the wheel end assembly between the bearings. A port is formed in the wheel hub and extends axially inwardly from an outboard end to a lubricant cavity of the hub, and angles radially inwardly from the outboard end to the lubricant cavity at an angle relative to an axial centerline of the hub. Lubricant for the bearings is introduced into the cavity by means of the port, and the port is tapped to receive a plug to seal it and contain the lubricant in the cavity. The port also provides a visual indicator if there is a leakage of semi-fluid grease.

Abstract: An air-ride axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle. A frame and at least a pair of suspension assemblies support opposite ends of an axle for movement relative to the frame. An air spring is associated with one of the suspension assemblies that establishes a first relative position between the axle and the frame as a function of fluid pressure in the air spring. A tire and wheel assembly is operatively mounted to an end portion of the axle associated with the air spring. A sensor detects an inflation condition of the tire and wheel assembly. A venting system exhausts fluid pressure from the air spring to establish a second relative position between the axle and the frame that is different than the first relative position in response to detecting a predetermined inflation condition of the tire and wheel assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension having a frame attachment portion attached to a saddle, first and second bolster springs mounted to spring mounts on an outboard side of the saddle and mounted on walls of a spring mount on an outboard side of an equalizing beam, and third and fourth bolster springs mounted to walls of a spring mount on an inboard side of the saddle and mounted to spring mounts on an inboard side of the equalizing beam, wherein upwardly extending flanges on the bottom of the first and second bolster springs are mounted to each other using a common fastener, and wherein upwardly extending flanges on the bottom of the third and fourth bolster springs are mounted to each other with a common fastener.

Abstract: A steering knuckle (18) is provided for use in association with a vehicle steering assembly (10). The steering knuckle (10) includes a knuckle body (20) having a generally vertical face (26) and an upper yolk arm (22) having a generally vertical face (54). The generally vertical faces (26, 54) of the steering knuckle body (20) and the upper yolk arm (22) are connected to each other. The generally vertical face (54) of the upper yolk arm (22) includes a camshaft bore (62) extending therethrough and configured to receive a camshaft (64). The generally vertical face of the knuckle body may be welded to a spindle (24), with a portion of the spindle being cut away to allow for a complete circular weld between the knuckle body and the spindle.

Abstract: A central tire pressure monitoring system interfaces with a tire inflation system to check the pressure in all of the tires of a trailer of a heavy-duty vehicle at a single interface location on the trailer, without the need to provide power to the trailer. The tire inflation system includes a source of pressurized air, at least one tire, a pneumatic conduit extending between and fluidly connecting the source of pressurized air to the tire, and a controller fluidly connected to the conduit. The monitoring system includes a monitoring valve fluidly connected to the conduit between the controller and the tire. The monitoring valve includes a port, and a test tool selectively fluidly connects to the monitoring valve port to enable air flow from the tire to the test tool. An indicator fluidly connects to the test tool and provides a reading of a pneumatic pressure in the tire.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension having a frame attachment portion attached to a saddle, first and second bolster springs mounted to spring mounts on an outboard side of the saddle and mounted on walls of a spring mount on an outboard side of an equalizing beam, and third and fourth bolster springs mounted to walls of a spring mount on an inboard side of the saddle and mounted to spring mounts on an inboard side of the equalizing beam, wherein upwardly extending flanges on the bottom of the first and second bolster sprints are mounted to each other using a common fastener, and wherein upwardly extending flanges on the bottom of the third and fourth bolster springs are mounted to each other with a common fastener.

Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a bellows and a piston. The bellows includes a bellows chamber. The bellows is attached to a main member of the heavy-duty vehicle and to the piston. The piston includes an open bottom that is sealingly closed by a disc attached to the open bottom. The piston and the disc define a piston chamber. The piston is mounted on the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle. The bellows chamber and the piston chamber are in fluid communication with each other via at least one opening, wherein airflow between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber provides damping to the suspension assembly of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: An air spring with damping characteristics for a suspension assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a first chamber, a second chamber and an intermediate chamber. The intermediate chamber is operatively connected between the first chamber and the second chamber. A first means provides restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the first chamber. A second means provides restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the second chamber. The first and second means for providing restricted fluid communication between the intermediate chamber and the first and second chambers, respectively, provide damping characteristics to the air spring during operation of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting an anti-lock braking system sensor to a vehicle axle adjacent to a tone ring. The bracket includes a tubular body portion with a surface defining an opening for receiving the anti-lock braking system sensor. A pair of legs, each extending from the body portion. A pair of feet, each define an end portion of a respective one of the pair of legs. Each of the pair of feet is adapted for attachment to an exterior surface of the vehicle axle. The body portion, the pair of legs and the pair of feet are integrally formed as one-piece from powdered metal.

Abstract: A vehicle cab suspension is provided with a body having a mounting member positioned at least partially within the body. One or more resilient members connect the body to the mounting member and are placed in a compressed condition between the body and the mounting member when the vehicle cab suspension is in an unloaded condition. The body may be formed of first and second body pieces, each of which may be provided with upper and/or lower projections to restrict movement of the resilient members during use.

Abstract: A bushing assembly pivotally connects the beams of an auxiliary lift axle/suspension system to a hanger and to an axle seat. The bushing assembly includes a pair of bushings, a metal sleeve, a pin with a threaded end, a pair of washers, and a threaded nut. The pair of bushings are disposed into an opening formed near an end of the beam. Each one of the pair of bushings includes a cylindrical wall comprising an inner end, an outer end, a central opening extending from the inner end to the outer end, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a flange. The interior surface of the bushings includes at least one groove formed therein for preventing lubricant from escaping the bushing assembly during operation of the lift axle/suspension system while a sealing feature prevents contaminants from migrating into the bushing assembly.

Abstract: A suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle is mounted on the heavy-duty vehicle frame or sub-frame via a beam of the suspension assembly which is pivotally connected to a hanger connected to the vehicle frame. The pivotal connection includes the hanger, the beam, a bushing assembly and a fastener group, and a textured feature formed in at least one of at least a portion of the hanger, at least a portion of the bushing assembly, or at least a portion of the fastening means so that the textured feature inhibits relative movement of the bushing assembly with respect to the hanger.