Abstract: A vehicle suspension system having a box shaped beam having a top plate, a bottom plate, a front plate and a pair of end plates. The top plates and bottom plates are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the axle height and are securely welded thereto along both the top and bottom of the axle. A pair of axially aligned and spaced apart pivots are secured intermediate the top plates and bottom plate, and receive a pivot pin for mounting the box beam to a vehicle. Each pivot includes a bushing, which, in an alternative embodiment, includes a horizontal spring rate, a vertical spring rate and an axial spring rate. Additionally, the top plate and bottom plate are welded to the axle along a substantial portion of the length thereof for substantially reducing torque in the axle, and for significantly reducing bending stresses felt by the axle. In an alternative embodiment, the sidewalls are integrally formed with the top and bottom walls for ease of manufacture.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a pair of spring beams with each spring beam pivotally mounted to a hanger bracket extending downwardly from a vehicle. An axle seat is mounted to an end of each spring beam and includes a passage extending therethrough. The spring beam passes through the passage formed in the axle seat and is permitted to deflect in response to vertical loads within the passage. A resilient bushing is positioned within the passage and intermediate the axle seat and the spring beam to permit the spring beam to assist in retaining the axle seat onto the beam, and to assure that the spring beam may flex along its entire length. The axle seat is retained on the spring beam by the pin connection extending through an eyelet formed in one end of the spring beam.