Abstract: A rotatable bar pin bushing assembly is disclosed for connecting components in a vehicular system, such as a suspension and/or axle system. The rotatable bar pin bushing assembly includes an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve positioned around the inner sleeve, and an insert positioned between the inner and outer sleeves. The rotatable bar pin bushing assembly also includes a bar pin rotatably positioned within the inner sleeve. The bar pin has at least one end with at least one bore extending therethrough to receive a fastener. The bar pin is rotatable within the inner sleeve to allow indexing of the bar pin for registering the at least one bore of the bar pin with a connector of a different component. A method for assembling the rotatable bar pin bushing assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection for a vehicle axle/suspension system includes an axle or crossbrace having at least one depression formed therein. A sleeve is formed with at least one depression and disposed about the axle or crossbrace so that the axle or crossbrace depression and the sleeve depression matingly engage one another to form a mated pair of depressions. A method of forming the axle-to-beam or crossbrace-to-beam connection includes providing an axle or crossbrace and disposing a sleeve about the axle or crossbrace. At least one mated pair of depressions is simultaneously formed in the axle or crossbrace and the sleeve. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A fabricated vehicle axle is provided with a main body defined by the combination of a channel having an inverted U-shaped configuration and a bottom plate. The ends of the main body are curved upwardly to define a pair of gooseneck portions. Axle head sections are formed at the ends of the axle and are closed off by end extensions extending from the front and rear walls of the channel and a cover flap extension extending from the top wall of the channel. A head plate is inserted within the space between the cover flap and the top edges of the end extensions. King pin bolt holes are machined at each axle head section into the cover flaps, head plates and each end of the bottom plate to permit a king pin to be installed therein.

Abstract: An air spring for a heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension system includes a bellows chamber operatively connected to a piston chamber. An opening is disposed between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber in order to allow fluid to communicate between the bellows chamber and the piston chamber. The cross-sectional area of the opening and the volumes of the bellows chamber and the piston chamber are tuned in order to optimize the damping characteristics of the air spring.

Abstract: An axle spindle and wheel end assembly includes a precision-formed axle spindle, wheel hub, and axle spindle nut. The axle spindle is formed with parallel inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, a shoulder that is perpendicular to the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces, and threads for a spindle nut that are aligned with the inboard and outboard bearing surfaces. The wheel hub is formed with inboard and outboard bearing surfaces that are in parallel alignment with one another, and bearing axial stop surfaces that are perpendicular to the wheel hub bearing surfaces. The spindle nut is formed with threads on its inner periphery and a flat inboard surface that is perpendicular to the threads. The axle spindle, wheel hub, and spindle nut cooperate to enable an axle spindle nut assembly to consistently provide a light preload on a bearing cone and spacer group of the wheel end assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle tire inflation system includes an air supply that is connected to a vehicle tire by a pneumatic conduit. A pump that is independent of and pneumatically parallel to the vehicle air supply includes an inlet and an outlet. The pump inlet receives air from atmosphere, the pump compresses the air, and the pump outlet is fluidly connected to the pneumatic conduit. When the air pressure in the pneumatic conduit drops below a predetermined level, compressed air from the pump is introduced into the pneumatic conduit, thus increasing the air pressure in the conduit to increase the air pressure that is available to the tire. A reservoir tank, which is also independent of the vehicle air supply, may be in fluid communication with the pump outlet and the pneumatic conduit.

Abstract: A rotary union is integrated into the interior of a heavy-duty vehicle hub cap. The hub cap includes a cylindrical sidewall, and an outboard wall that is integrally formed with an outboard end of the sidewall, and which extends generally perpendicular to the sidewall. The hub cap also includes a radially-extending flange that is formed on an inboard end of the sidewall, which receives fasteners to mount the hub cap on a wheel hub. The sidewall and the outboard wall form an interior compartment in the hub cap, and a rotary union is mounted to the hub cap in the interior compartment. The rotary union is mounted on the inboard surface of the outboard wall of the hub cap and is in general axial alignment with an axial centerline of a wheel end assembly, providing fluid communication from a tire inflation system to the tires of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hanger arrangement for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a pair of front hangers transversely spaced from one another and attached to the vehicle. A pair of transversely spaced rear hangers are spaced longitudinally rearwardly from the front hangers and are attached to the vehicle. A first axle/suspension system is mounted on the front pair of hangers and a second axle/suspension system is mounted on the rear pair of hangers. The pair of front hangers include a rear edge that extends generally downwardly frontwardly toward the front end of the vehicle. The pair of rear hangers include a front edge extending generally downwardly rearwardly toward the rear end of the vehicle.

Abstract: A frame for a heavy-duty vehicle trailer includes a pair of elongated, spaced-apart parallel main members, each one having a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical walls. At least one cross member extends between and attaches to the main members, and includes a pair of spaced apart parallel transversely-extending vertical walls. Each one of a first pair of hangers includes a pair of spaced-apart parallel vertical walls that generally align and attach to the main member vertical walls. Each hanger includes a hanger support having a pair of spaced apart parallel vertical webs integrally formed with a diagonally extending side member. The hanger support attaches to the inboard hanger wall and also to the cross member. The frame reduces weight and provides improved reaction of longitudinal and side loads, yet still efficiently reacts vertical and racking loads imparted on the frame during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam connection for axle/suspension systems includes a connector having a U-shaped cross section and includes two pairs of legs. Each of the legs is formed with an opening. The connector extends longitudinally along the axle and is also formed with a pair of window weld openings adjacent to the axle. The connector provides a conforming fit of the connector to the axle when the connector is pulled over the axle using the leg openings and is attached to the axle and beam of the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A mud flap assembly for a vehicle includes a mud flap and a mud flap bracket. The mud flap is attached to the mud flap bracket. The mud flap bracket is in turn attached to the vehicle by an attachment means so that when the mud flap is pinched between a tire of the vehicle and a fixed object resting on the ground, the mud flap bracket and the mud flap are moved and/or deflected substantially uniformly downwardly toward the ground in order to prevent damage to the mud flap, the mud flap bracket and the vehicle.

Abstract: A vent system for an axle of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a check valve and an exhaust tube that is connected to the check valve. The check valve includes a first end that is mounted on the axle, a second end, and a body that is disposed between the first and second ends and is in selective fluid communication with the axle interior. The exhaust tube includes a first end that is mounted on the second end of the check valve, and a second end that is open to atmosphere and is in fluid communication with the check valve body. Using any one of a number of types of configurations for the valve body, the vent system selectively exhausts air from the axle interior to atmosphere to relieve buildups of pressure in the axle, while protecting the integrity of the check valve and preventing contaminants from entering the axle.

Abstract: An axle-to-beam connection 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 method of forming the axle-to-beam connection 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. The sleeve is immovably mounted to a vehicle axle/suspension system.

Abstract: Vehicle suspension assemblies including air spring assemblies and components of the vehicle suspension assemblies are described. A vehicle suspension assembly that is attachable to a pair of vehicle frame rails includes a pair of support beams and a cross member, such as a cross tube, extending between and connected to the pair of support beams. Each support beam includes a locator-tab and each air spring assembly includes a locator-tab-slot for receiving a locator-tab of a support beam. The cross tube is fastened to the air spring assembly via a retention strap that wraps around portions of the cross tube. The locator-tabs and locator-tab-slots may be operable, alone or in combination with the retention strap, as a lateral restraint. In this regard, the lateral restraint may restrain the air spring from moving in a lateral direction between two frame rails to which the vehicle suspension assembly attaches.

Abstract: A suspension system for supporting fore- and aft extending frame members of a vehicle chassis on a hollow axle, the system on one side of the vehicle being duplicated on the opposite side. Included in the suspension on each side are: (1) a frame bracket for pivotally supporting the fore or leading end of an asymmetric leaf spring; (2) a spring end support mounted on the frame side member for supporting the aft or trailing end of the leaf spring, and (3) a suitable assembly for attaching the leaf spring at a location intermediate its opposite ends to the axle so that the spring is divided into two cantilever limbs extending in opposite directions from the center line of the axle. The spring is formed so that one of the cantilever limbs has a stiffness substantially greater than the stiffness of the other limb. In all forms, at least one leaf of the asymmetric spring extends the full length of the spring.

Abstract: An air-ride beam-type axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle with a gross axle weight rating of greater than 23,000 lbs./axle includes a pair of transversely spaced beams. Each one of the beams includes inboard and outboard sidewalls. A large diameter axle extends between and is rigidly connected to the beams via a pair of axle-to-beam connections. Each one of the axle-to-beam connections includes a sleeve having an increased thickness rigidly connected to the axle and the beam. Each sleeve is formed with at least a front and a rear window located between the beam sidewalls. The inboard and/or outboard edges of the sleeve windows are spaced relatively far from the beam sidewalls. The sleeve windows are asymmetrically angled with respect to the horizontal centerline of the axle at design ride height. The axle/suspension system reduces weight while maintaining desired stiffness and durability of the axle/suspension system.

Abstract: A tie-plate comprising a lower mounting flange that is removably attachable to a first frame hanger and to a second frame hanger, wherein the lower mounting flange includes a first set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes at the first frame hanger, wherein the lower mounting flange includes a second set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes at the second frame hanger, an extending member having a first end that extends at an angle from the lower mounting flange; and an upper mounting flange extending from a second end of the extending member, wherein the upper mounting flange has one or more mounting holes adapted for attachment of the tie-plate to an undercarriage of a vehicle.

Abstract: A suspension having a frame attachment portion having an opening with a spring mount positioned therein, and a first shear spring positioned between a wall of the spring mount and a side wall of the opening, and a second shear spring positioned between another wall of the spring mount and another wall of the opening. The first spring mount comprises an inboard part and an outboard part with a first through-hole positioned therein adapted to allow passage of a first connecting rod therethrough, wherein the first connecting rod connects the inboard and outboard parts together, and wherein the first shear spring is compressed between a wall of the spring mount and a wall of the opening, and wherein the second shear spring is compressed between a wall of the spring mount and a wall of the opening.

Abstract: A shear spring comprising a base and a V-shaped surface opposite the base adapted to mate with a corresponding V-shaped surface positioned on a side wall of a spring mount, and an elastomeric material positioned between the base and the V-shaped surface, wherein the base includes a first flange extending away from the V-shaped surface and adapted to be positioned outwardly from a first edge of a side wall of a spring module, and wherein the base includes a second flange extending away from the V-shaped surface and adapted to be positioned outwardly from a second edge of the side wall of the spring module, where the first flange and the second flange are positioned in parallel planes.

Abstract: A shear spring comprising a base and a V-shaped surface opposite the base adapted to mate with a corresponding V-shaped surface positioned on a side wall of a spring mount, and an elastomeric material positioned between the base and the V-shaped surface, wherein the base includes a first flange extending away from the V-shaped surface and adapted to be positioned outwardly from a first edge of a side wall of a spring module, and wherein the base includes a second flange extending away from the V-shaped surface and adapted to be positioned outwardly from a second edge of the side wall of the spring module, where the first flange and the second flange are positioned in parallel planes.