Abstract: A bushing for use in a vehicle suspension system, the bushing including a cylindrical sleeve including an internal passageway extending from first to second ends of the sleeve, the sleeve dimensioned to receive a shackle bolt therethrough; an elastomeric member at least substantially surrounding and extending radially outwardly from an exterior circumferential surface of the sleeve, and the elastomeric member having a pair of spaced-apart, circumferential channels positioned between the first and second ends of the sleeve and opening outwardly away from a radially outermost exterior circumferential surface of the elastomeric member, the channels dividing the elastomeric member into three radially-extending portions, one of which radially-extending portions is intermediate the other radially-extending portions; a rigid retainer ring positioned over the intermediate one of the radially-extending portions, the retainer ring having spaced-apart sidewalls extending into the circumferential channels so as to captur

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid-filled, vibration damping bushing assembly, comprising the steps of: Forming, in a first molding step, a bushing member comprising a elastomeric core having an axial bore therethrough, the elastomeric core having a circumferential exterior surface including at least one fluid chamber, the circumferential exterior surface being partially surrounded by a metal cylinder vulcanized to the elastomeric core in the first molding step; reducing the outer diameter of the bushing member following the first molding step; in a subsequent, second molding step, mold-bonding one or more polymer sealing elements to an exterior circumferential surface of the metal cylinder; in a next step, disposing at least one fluid-channel member over a portion of the exterior circumferential surface of the metal cylinder; and providing a fluid in the at least one fluid chamber, and fluidly-sealing the bushing member, the one or more polymer sealing elements, and the at least one fluid-channel member, with

Abstract: A bushing for use in a vehicle leaf-spring suspension system, the bushing including a cylindrical sleeve including an internal passageway extending from first to second ends of the sleeve, the sleeve dimensioned to receive a shackle bolt therethrough; an elastomeric member at least substantially surrounding and extending radially outwardly from an exterior circumferential surface of the sleeve, and the elastomeric member having a pair of spaced-apart, circumferential channels positioned between the first and second ends of the sleeve, the channels dividing the elastomeric member into three radially-extending portions, one of which radially-extending portions is intermediate the other radially-extending portions; a rigid retainer ring positioned over the intermediate one of the radially-extending portions, the retainer ring having spaced-apart sidewalls extending into the circumferential channels so as to capture the intermediate one of the radially-extending portions therebetween; lubricant disposed between t

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fluid-filled, vibration damping bushing assembly, comprising the steps of: Forming, in a first molding step, a bushing member comprising a elastomeric core having an axial bore therethrough, the elastomeric core having a circumferential exterior surface including at least one fluid chamber, the circumferential exterior surface being partially surrounded by a metal cylinder vulcanized to the elastomeric core in the first molding step; reducing the outer diameter of the bushing member following the first molding step; in a subsequent, second molding step, mold-bonding one or more polymer sealing elements to an exterior circumferential surface of the metal cylinder; in a next step, disposing at least one fluid-channel member over a portion of the exterior circumferential surface of the metal cylinder; and providing a fluid in the at least one fluid chamber, and fluidly-sealing the bushing member, the one or more polymer sealing elements, and the at least one fluid-channel member, with

Abstract: A hydraulic bushing including an elastomeric bellows having radially spaced axially extending arcuate chambers fluidly connected with axially spaced radially extending chambers to dampen axial as well as radial loads imposed upon the bushing.

Abstract: A hydraulic bushing including an elastomeric bellows having radially spaced axially extending arcuate chambers fluidly connected with axially spaced radially extending chambers to dampen axial as well as radial loads imposed upon the bushing.