Abstract: The suspension system of the present invention broadly comprises a method of retrofitting an existing torsion axle suspension carried by a frame with an air spring comprising the steps of removing an original torsion axle that was fixed to a frame from the frame and mounting the torsion axle to at least one rotatable arm such that rotation of the arm causes vertical translation of the original torsion axle. The suspension system also comprises a retrofit kit for use with a torsion axle suspension system having a torsion axle and a spindle comprising a hanger bracket adapted to be attachable to the frame, a pivot arm for mounting to the hanger bracket and adapted for rotatably supporting the existing torsion axle, an air spring, a support assembly secured to the pivot arm for supporting the air spring, and an attachment for securing the pivot arm to the support assembly.

Abstract: A suspension system for use with a frame comprising a first side suspension opposite a second side suspension, the first side suspension having a complete parallelogram suspension proximate the first side, and the second side suspension having a complete parallelogram suspension proximate the second side. The suspension system also includes a cross tube disposed at least partially between the first side and the second side, as well as at least one spring for resiliently controlling the vertical movement of the first and second side suspensions.

Abstract: A supplementary vehicle spring assembly for a leaf spring of a vehicle is provided, the leaf spring defining a fixed end and a free end. The supplementary vehicle spring assembly comprises a first tension spring arrangement fitted to the fixed end of the leaf spring, a second tension spring arrangement fitted to the free end of the leaf spring, and a bracket arrangement proximate an axle of the vehicle, the bracket arrangement connecting the first and second tension spring arrangements. The first and second tension spring arrangements each comprise a connector arm for securing the arrangements to the respective ends of the leaf spring, a first connector rod extending from the connector arm and being secured to a first end of at least one tension spring, and a second connector rod extending from a second end of the tension spring, the second connector rods securing the first and second tension spring arrangements to opposite ends of the bracket arrangement.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a tandem suspension is provided which includes a balancer and an elastomeric assembly operable to allow the balancer to rotate about a vehicle chassis. In addition, an elastomeric assembly for a suspension system is provided which includes an elastomeric element provided with a slot for allowing a deformation in response to a tension load imparted by a balancer, and a groove for preventing bulging in response to a compression load imparted by the balancer. A balancer for a vehicle suspension is also provided which includes first and second plates, an open area formed between the plates, an engaging member provided within the open area and first and second pins which define an axis of rotation about which the balancer is rotatable. A kit for the pivot assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a frame mount assembly, a swing arm assembly and an air spring. The trailer includes a rail with top and bottom rail surfaces. The swing arm assembly is pivotally mounted to a pivot about a swing arm pivot axis located above the bottom rail surface when the suspension assembly is mounted to the trailer.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of spaced vehicle frame members for supporting a vehicle body on the vehicle wheels. A torsion axle extends between the pair of suspension assemblies and terminates in a pair of stub shafts. The axle is mounted on a pair of spaced frame brackets attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring extends between the vehicle frame and an outer end of a support arm pivotally mounted on each end of the torsion axle. The stub shafts are supported within an outer tube of the torsion axle by a plurality of elastomeric members. One end of each stub shaft is connected to a spindle arm which has a spindle extending from an opposite end of the arm.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a tandem suspension is provided which includes a balancer and an elastomeric assembly operable to allow the balancer to rotate about a vehicle chassis. In addition, an elastomeric assembly for a suspension system is provided which includes an elastomeric element provided with a slot for allowing a deformation in response to a tension load imparted by a balancer, and a groove for preventing bulging in response to a compression load imparted by the balancer. A balancer for a vehicle suspension is also provided which includes first and second plates, an open area formed between the plates, an engaging member provided within the open area and first and second pins which define an axis of rotation about which the balancer is rotatable. A kit for the pivot assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a tandem suspension is provided which includes a balancer and an elastomeric assembly operable to allow the balancer to rotate about a vehicle chassis. In addition, an elastomeric assembly for a suspension system is provided which includes an elastomeric element provided with a slot for allowing a deformation in response to a tension load imparted by a balancer, and a groove for preventing bulging in response to a compression load imparted by the balancer. A balancer for a vehicle suspension is also provided which includes first and second plates, an open area formed between the plates, an engaging member provided within the open area and first and second pins which define an axis of rotation about which the balancer is rotatable. A kit for the pivot assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A tandem suspension for connecting a vehicle chassis to front and rear steerable axles is provided. The tandem suspension includes, on each side of the vehicle, a front leaf spring linking the chassis and the front axle, a rear leaf spring linking the chassis and the rear axle, an equalizer assembly mounted to the chassis for equalizing the front and rear axles, a front air spring disposed between the chassis and the front axle, a rear air spring disposed between the chassis and the rear axle, and a pneumatic control system pneumatically linked to the front and rear air springs for supplying pressurised gas thereto and operable to unload one of the front and rear air springs. A method of installing a tandem suspension in a vehicle having a first steerable axle and a front leaf spring is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of spaced vehicle frame members for supporting a vehicle body on the vehicle wheels. A torsion axle extends between the pair of suspension assemblies and terminates in a pair of stub shafts. The axle is mounted on a pair of spaced frame brackets attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring extends between the vehicle frame and an outer end of a support arm pivotally mounted on each end of the torsion axle. The stub shafts are supported within an outer tube of the torsion axle by a plurality of elastomeric members. One end of each stub shaft is connected to a spindle arm which has a spindle extending from an opposite end of the arm.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a frame mounting bracket. A torsion axle is pivotally attached to the frame mounting bracket. The torsion axle pivots about a suspension assembly pivot axis. An air spring support arm is rigidly attached to the torsion axle. An air spring is attached at one end to the frame mounting bracket and at an end of the support arm opposite the suspension assembly pivot axis. A spindle arm with a spindle is adapted for mounting a wheel assembly is attached to the torsion axle. The vehicle suspension system is adapted to include an optional cross-member brace adapted to attach to the frame mounting bracket allowing the cross-member brace to extend across a width of a vehicle to an adjacent vehicle suspension assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of spaced vehicle frame members for supporting a vehicle body on the vehicle wheels. A torsion axle extends between the pair of suspension assemblies and terminates in a pair of stub shafts. The axle is mounted on a pair of spaced frame bars attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring extends between the vehicle frame and an outer end of a support arm mounted on the torsion axle. The stub shafts are supported within an outer tube of the torsion axle by a plurality of elastomeric members. One end of each stub shaft is connected to a spindle arm which has a spindle extending from an opposite end of the arm. The outer tube of the torsion axle pivotally supports the air spring support arm and the axis of the torsion axle is coaxial with the pivot axis of the air spring support arm to provide a more compact and sturdy suspension assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of spaced vehicle frame members for supporting a vehicle body on the vehicle wheels. A torsion axle extends between the pair of suspension assemblies and terminates in a pair of stub shafts. The axle is mounted on a pair of spaced frame brackets attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring extends between the vehicle frame and an outer end of a support arm pivotally mounted on each end of the torsion axle. The stub shafts are supported within an outer tube of the torsion axle by a plurality of elastomeric members. One end of each stub shaft is connected to a spindle arm which has a spindle extending from an opposite end of the arm.

Abstract: An adjustable strut spacer includes two complementary strut spacer disks that engage each other and the vehicle suspension to provide adjustable spacing. Each strut spacer disk is flat on one side and stepped on the other side. The steps of the upper strut spacer engage the steps of the lower strut spacer such that when the strut spacer disks are counter rotated the thickness of the adjustable strut spacer changes.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of spaced vehicle frame members for supporting a vehicle body on the vehicle wheels. A torsion axle extends between the pair of suspension assemblies and terminates in a pair of stub shafts. The axle is mounted on a pair of spaced frame bars attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring extends between the vehicle frame and an outer end of a support arm mounted on the torsion axle. The stub shafts are supported within an outer tube of the torsion axle by a plurality of elastomeric members. One end of each stub shaft is connected to a spindle arm which has a spindle extending from an opposite end of the arm. The outer tube of the torsion axle pivotally supports the air spring support arm and the axis of the torsion axle is coaxial with the pivot axis of the air spring support arm to provide a more compact and sturdy suspension assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system includes a pair of suspension assemblies mounted on a pair of spaced vehicle frame members for supporting a vehicle body on the vehicle wheels. A torsion axle extends between the pair of suspension assemblies and terminates in a pair of stub shafts. The axle is mounted on a pair of spaced frame brackets attached to the vehicle frame. An air spring extends between the vehicle frame and an outer end of a support arm pivotally mounted on each end of the torsion axle. The stub shafts are supported within an outer tube of the torsion axle by a plurality of elastomeric members. One end of each stub shaft is connected to a spindle arm which has a spindle extending from an opposite end of the arm.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a tandem suspension is provided which includes a balancer and an elastomeric assembly operable to allow the balancer to rotate about a vehicle chassis. In addition, an elastomeric assembly for a suspension system is provided which includes an elastomeric element provided with a slot for allowing a deformation in response to a tension load imparted by a balancer, and a groove for preventing bulging in response to a compression load imparted by the balancer. A balancer for a vehicle suspension is also provided which includes first and second plates, an open area formed between the plates, an engaging member provided within the open area and first and second pins which define an axis of rotation about which the balancer is rotatable. A kit for the pivot assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A track system for providing complementary shock absorbing capability to a primary shock absorbing assembly having a hydraulic path containing fluid. The track system includes a chamber, a damping assembly and an adjusting assembly. The chamber has opposite first and second ends, the first end of the chamber being provided with a port operatively connectable to the hydraulic path of the primary shock absorbing assembly, the port being configured for allowing fluid from the hydraulic path of the primary shock absorbing assembly to enter and exit the chamber of the track system through the port thereof. The damping assembly is configured for damping a flow of fluid entering the chamber via the port thereof. The adjusting assembly is configured for adjusting a damping mode of the damping assembly.

Abstract: A tandem suspension for connecting a vehicle chassis to front and rear steerable axles is provided. The tandem suspension includes, on each side of the vehicle, a front leaf spring linking the chassis and the front axle, a rear leaf spring linking the chassis and the rear axle, an equalizer assembly mounted to the chassis for equalizing the front and rear axles, a front air spring disposed between the chassis and the front axle, a rear air spring disposed between the chassis and the rear axle, and a pneumatic control system pneumatically linked to the front and rear air springs for supplying pressurised gas thereto and operable to unload one of the front and rear air springs. A method of installing a tandem suspension in a vehicle having a first steerable axle and a front leaf spring is also provided.

Abstract: A damper includes housing bounding a chamber. A barrier is movably disposed within the chamber so as to divide at least a portion of the chamber into a pressure compartment and a control compartment each having a volume, the volume of the pressure compartment and the control compartment each being adjustable based on movement of the barrier. A first compressible gas is disposed within the pressure compartment while a first hydraulic fluid is disposed within the control compartment A piston shaft has a first end slidably disposed within the control compartment. A temperature compensator disposed within the chamber automatically adjusts the combined volume of the pressure compartment and the control compartment based on the temperature of the first hydraulic fluid within the control compartment so as to regulate the pressure within the control compartment.