Abstract: A knuckle for a heavy-duty vehicle self-steering axle/suspension system that includes integrally formed structure for mounting components of a drum brake system. The knuckle includes a spindle that is welded directly to the knuckle and a discrete tie rod arm bolted to the knuckle.

Abstract: A disc brake hub and rotor assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle. The disc brake hub and rotor assembly includes a hub receivable on and rotatable about an axle spindle of a heavy-duty vehicle. A rotor is connectable with the hub for rotation with the hub. The rotor includes a disc segment, a flange mounting segment, and a cylindrical sleeve segment connecting the disc segment and the flange mounting segment. A flange is connectable with the flange mounting segment and separately with the hub. The flange mounting segment of the rotor has an inboard facing surface at least part of which is for engaging head portions of wheel studs. The inboard facing surface is substantially planar and free of wheel stud clearance reliefs. A transition region is located between the flange mounting segment and sleeve segment and is also free of wheel stud clearance reliefs.

Abstract: A radial mounting torque plate for mounting a disk brake component for heavy-duty vehicles, the torque plate comprising an annular portion and a pair of mounting arms. The annular portion is formed with an opening for receiving an axle of the heavy-duty vehicle. The mounting arms are integrally formed with and extend longitudinally outward in opposite directions from the annular portion and have a T-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A tandem mechanical spring axle/suspension system for heavy-duty vehicles includes a tandem assembly that comprises a front beam of a suspension assembly of a front axle/suspension system, a rear beam of a suspension assembly of a rear axle suspension system, and a mechanical spring. The mechanical spring operatively engages the front beam and the rear beam and extends longitudinally therebetween, as well as operatively engages a main member of the vehicle frame.

Abstract: A damping air spring for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems. The damping air spring includes a first chamber and a second chamber and at least one opening between the first chamber and second chamber to provide restricted fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber. An adsorptive material is disposed within the first chamber or the second chamber and works in conjunction with the at least one opening to provide damping characteristics to the air spring over a first and second critical range of frequencies.

Abstract: A slack adjuster assembly for use with a heavy-duty vehicle drum brake system, the slack adjuster assembly comprising a slack adjuster, a cam tube assembly, and an interlock assembly. The interlock assembly is disposed on an outboard side of the slack adjuster and interconnects the cam tube assembly with the slack adjuster. A component of the interlock assembly and a component of the cam tube assembly cooperate to form a rotation reference mechanism for indexing of an automatic adjustment mechanism of the slack adjuster. The slack adjuster assembly further comprising an inboard sealing assembly and an outboard sealing assembly engaging respective inboard and outboard sides of the slack adjuster to form respective 360-degree interfaces. The cam tube assembly, interlock assembly, and inboard and outboard sealing assemblies forming a continuous grease pathway between the cam tube assembly and the slack adjuster.

Abstract: A tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle having a source of fluid pressure, a tire and wheel assembly, and a fluid path. The fluid path includes at least one conduit, a first valve, and a flow detection structure. The conduit provides fluid communication from the source of fluid pressure to the tire and wheel assembly. The first valve is disposed along the fluid path. The flow detection structure is disposed along the fluid path and is arranged in parallel to the first valve.

Abstract: Axle seat assemblies and methods of manufacturing thereof, are provided for attachment to an axle body (15). The axle seat assembly may be comprised of a first piece (42) and a second piece (50). The first piece (42) may have a first wall, a second wall and a first axle seat piece engagement portion providing a first engagement surface. The second piece (50) may have a third wall and a second axle seat piece engagement portion providing a second engagement surface. The first wall and the second wall of the first piece are oriented to engage a front surface of an axle body and the third wall of the second piece is oriented to engage a rear surface (30) of an axle body. The first and second engagement surfaces of the respective first and second pieces of the axle seat assembly are positioned and configured to engage one another to removably and reversibly secure with the use of a fastener the first piece to the second piece to form an axle seat assembly.

Abstract: A hubcap for a heavy-duty duty vehicle that includes mounting structure that is formed with and cooperates with a side wall of the hubcap to provide a stiff, rigid structure that enables non-cantilevered connection to a wheel hub. The mounting structure can be a plurality of elongated bosses circumferentially spaced about the side wall that are formed with corresponding elongated bolt openings to enable the non-cantilevered attachment to the wheel hub. The elongated bosses cooperate with the hubcap side wall to provide a stiffened or rigid structure between the elongated bolt openings for increased and more uniform clamping force on a sealing gasket between the hubcap and the wheel hub. The hubcap profile provides clearance for removal of an outboard mounted disc brake rotor in heavy-duty vehicle wheel end assemblies that include such rotor configurations. The hubcap may support simple mounting of a hub odometer.

Abstract: A suspension travel control system (1046) for a vehicle suspension is disclosed. The suspension travel control system includes a stop post (834) secured to the vehicle frame and a suspension travel control formation that includes a base (1042) and a body (1048). The stop post (834) is positioned in a space defined by the body (1048). The suspension travel control formation may be secured to the axle, the main support member or incorporated into the axle coupling assembly to provide a rebound and jounce stop as well as longitudinal redundancy in the event of the failure or loss of a longitudinal linkage.

Abstract: A load-based tire inflation system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprises at least one source of fluid pressure, suspension structure of the heavy-duty vehicle, a tire and wheel assembly and a system to control fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly. The suspension structure is located between a frame member and an axle and has a condition indicative of a weight of the heavy-duty vehicle. The tire and wheel assembly is operatively mounted to the axle and is in fluid communication with the source of fluid pressure. The control system controls fluid pressure in the tire and wheel assembly in response to the condition of the suspension structure.

Abstract: A bushing is disclosed for pivotally mounting an end portion of an axle-supporting beam of a vehicle suspension system to a hanger bracket of the vehicle with a pair of wear pads positioned between sides of the end portion of the beam and the hanger bracket, where the pair of wear pads each has a central opening defined by an inner edge. The bushing includes a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, a first end portion, a second end portion and a beam support portion positioned between the first and second end portions. A first resilient wear pad retainer extends radially from the first end portion of the body and a second resilient wear pad retainer extends radially from the second end portion of the body.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a central tube and an axle spindle. The axle spindle is fixed to the central tube. The axle spindle has a tubular first section and a tubular second section extending from the first section. The second section has an outer diameter. The second section has a bearing support surface. A tubular transition section is located between the first section and the second section. An annular shoulder portion is formed in an axial end segment of the tubular transition section adjacent the second section. The shoulder portion has at least one annular profile located in the shoulder portion between the annular shoulder surface and the bearing support surface. The annular profile is defined by a surface with a diameter not less than the outer diameter of the second section. An antilock braking system sensor bracket locator nub is integrally formed in the tubular transition section.

Abstract: A brake component positioning assembly that is removably connectable to a component of a heavy-duty vehicle. The brake component positioning assembly enables a brake system component to be positioned away from a wheel end of the heavy-duty vehicle to allow removal or servicing of at least one component of a wheel end assembly or the vehicle brake system. In one embodiment, the brake component positioning assembly includes a base block disposed in a cutout of a torque plate. A positioning block slidably engages one or more guide pins received by or disposed through the base block. A positioning bolt threadably engages the positioning block, whereby upon rotation of the positioning bolt, the positioning block and brake system component are positioned away from the bottom block and wheel end. Components of the brake component positioning assembly can be removably connected to each other.

Abstract: A regulator for establishing outlet fluid pressure. The regulator includes a valve body having a fluid pressure inlet in selective fluid communication with a fluid pressure outlet. A pilot pressure inlet is formed in the valve body and in fluid communication with a source of pilot pressure. Valving structure in the valve body establishes outlet fluid pressure as a function of pilot pressure. First adjustable structure within the valve body may establish a minimum outlet fluid pressure threshold without regard to pilot pressure. Second adjustable structure within the valve body may establish outlet fluid pressure offset relative to pilot pressure.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam connection for a suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system of a heavy-duty vehicle including an axle, a beam, and a top pad. The beam includes an alignment assembly for aligning the axle with the beam. The top pad includes an integrally-formed bump stop boss and is fixedly attached to the axle and removably attached to the alignment assembly of the beam.

Abstract: Tone ring mounting structure for an antilock braking system comprising a wheel end assembly rotatable component having at least a first end surface and a first engagement mechanism extending radially and non-cantilevered from the rotatable component, and a tone ring having a second end surface and a second engagement mechanism extending radially from the tone ring. Connecting engagement of the first engagement mechanism of the wheel end assembly rotatable component and the second engagement mechanism of the tone ring affects movement of the second end surface in a direction toward the first end surface. The first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism can be engageable threads. The first engagement mechanism can include lugs formed on the wheel end assembly rotatable component and the second engagement mechanism threads or wedge ramps engageable with the lugs. A corrosion resistant coating can be applied to components of the tone ring mounting structure.

Abstract: A spring seat attachment assembly for use with an axle/suspension system having at least one leaf spring and an axle, said attachment assembly including a band and a spring seat. The band may include a locator structure and is fixed to the axle and extends around a portion of the axle between 180 degrees and 360 degrees. The spring seat receives the leaf spring and is fixed to the band.

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: Fabricated axles with a removable king pin are disclosed. The fabricated axles incorporate U-shaped channel construction. Extensions of front and rear channel walls wrap partially around and separately join axle head plates which support a removable king pin. King pin fastener bores are partially defined by the head plate and by front and rear channel walls. The bottom surface of the head plate is received within an opening of, and secured to, the bottom plate which overlays the channel.