Abstract: A steerable vehicle suspension can include an axle, at least one retractor having a length that decreases in response to a pressure increase applied to the retractor, and at least one wheel spindle. Resistance to rotation of the wheel spindle relative to the axle increases in response to the pressure increase applied to the retractor. A method of operating a steerable vehicle suspension of a vehicle can include allowing steering knuckles rotatably mounted at opposite ends of an axle to rotate relative to the axle while the vehicle moves forward, and applying an inwardly directed force simultaneously to each of the steering knuckles. Another steerable vehicle suspension can include two rotatably mounted steering knuckles, and two retractors connected to the steering knuckles. An inwardly directed force is applied by each retractor to a respective one of the steering knuckles in response to pressure applied to the retractors.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension can include an adapter mounting face, a spindle rigidly mounted relative to the adapter mounting face, a wheel mounting hub including a hub body rotatably mounted on the spindle by bearings, and an adapter that spaces a brake component away from the adapter mounting face. Another vehicle suspension can include a spindle, bearings, and a wheel mounting hub rotatably mounted on the spindle by the bearings, the wheel mounting hub can include a hub body and a wheel mounting flange, the hub body and the wheel mounting flange being separate components of the wheel mounting hub. A system for adapting a vehicle suspension to different suspension capacities can include multiple wheel mounting hubs including a same hub body internal configuration configured to be rotatably mounted on the spindle by the bearings, but the wheel mounting hubs including respective different wheel mounting flanges.

Abstract: A damping convoluted air spring for use in vehicle axle/suspension systems includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a bellows. The bellows includes a first lobe, a second lobe, and a third lobe operatively connected to one another. The first lobe being in fluid communication with the second lobe. The second lobe being in fluid communication with said third lobe. The first lobe operatively mounted on the top plate. The third lobe operatively mounted on the bottom plate. The second lobe includes a fixed volume under pressure to provide damping to the air spring during operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tag axle suspension system can include a tire and at least one hanger bracket pivotable relative to a vehicle frame to deployed and lifted configurations. In the lifted configuration, the tire can be a lowest component of the suspension system, and can be a first component to engage a road surface. A tag axle suspension system can include an air spring and a travel limit device that limits compression of the air spring in a lifted configuration of a hanger bracket. A tag axle suspension system can include an axle, a suspension arm pivotably connected between a hanger bracket and the axle, and a travel limit device that limits displacement of the suspension arm in a lifted configuration of the hanger bracket. The travel limit device can limit displacement of the axle toward an air spring support in the lifted configuration of the hanger bracket.

Abstract: A suspension system can include an air spring, an air reservoir external to the air spring, and a flow control device which variably restricts flow of air between the air spring and the air reservoir. Flow between the air spring and the air reservoir may be permitted in response to compliance of the suspension system, and the air spring can have an internal air volume at least 2½ times as great as a volume of the air reservoir. The flow control device may permit flow between the air spring and the air reservoir in response to a predetermined pressure differential level across the flow control device. Multiple air reservoirs can be internal to an axle, and can be isolated from each other in the axle.

Abstract: A suspension system can include an air spring, an air reservoir external to the air spring, and a flow control device which variably restricts flow of air between the air spring and the air reservoir. Flow between the air spring and the air reservoir may be permitted in response to compliance of the suspension system, and the air spring can have an internal air volume at least 2½ times as great may permit flow between the air spring and the air reservoir in response to a predetermined pressure differential level across the flow control device. Multiple air reservoirs can be internal to an axle, or other suspension system or vehicle component, and can be isolated from each other.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system can include a steering knuckle assembly with a steer return device, and a biasing device comprising an elastomeric toroid which is deformed by the steer return device. Another suspension system can include a king pin having opposite ends, and a steering knuckle assembly including a steer return device, a steer lock, and a biasing device which is deformed by the steer return device. The steer return device, steer lock and biasing device can be positioned at a same opposite end of the king pin. Another suspension system can include a king pin, and a steering knuckle assembly including a steer return device which encircles the king pin. The steering knuckle assembly can be rotated relative to the king pin, without axial displacement relative to the king pin, by a biasing force which results from deformation of a biasing device by the steer return device.

Abstract: A steerable suspension system may include a steering knuckle and an actuator, the actuator having an effective piston area which varies in response to rotation of the steering knuckle. A method of stabilizing a steerable suspension system may include applying a first level of pressure, thereby applying a stabilizing force to a steering knuckle and permitting rotation of the steering knuckle, and applying a second level of pressure, thereby preventing rotation of the steering knuckle. Another steerable suspension system may include an axle, a tie rod arm, and a pressure operated actuator interconnected between the tie rod arm and the axle.

Abstract: An adjustable run height lift axle suspension system includes an axle assembly, an air spring and a lift actuator. A device may be releasably attached to the axle assembly and connected to each of the air spring and the lift actuator, the device spacing the air spring away from the axle assembly. A selected one of multiple devices may be used, the suspension system having one run height when one device is releasably attached to the axle assembly and connected to each of the air spring and the lift actuator, and a different run height when another device is used. The air spring may have approximately the same operational height when the suspension system is at the different run heights.

Abstract: A method for securing a suspension may include attaching a frame interface device to a vehicle frame and aligning a first connector set. Two first connectors may straddle a second connector, or a first connector may be straddled by two second connectors, when the connector set is aligned. These aligned connectors may be secured by a fastener, thereby securing the suspension to the frame. A suspension attachment system may include a hanger bracket of a suspension, a frame interface device, and a connector set. Two first connectors may straddle a second connector when the connector set is aligned. The suspension may be secured to the frame as a result of the aligned and secured connector set.

Abstract: A method for securing a suspension may include attaching a frame interface device to a vehicle frame and aligning a first connector set. Two first connectors may straddle a second connector, or a first connector may be straddled by two second connectors, when the connector set is aligned. These aligned connectors may be secured by a fastener, thereby securing the suspension to the frame. A suspension attachment system may include a hanger bracket of a suspension, a frame interface device, and a connector set. Two first connectors may straddle a second connector when the connector set is aligned. The suspension may be secured to the frame as a result of the aligned and secured connector set.

Abstract: A method of constructing a vehicle suspension system includes forming a suspension arm having a pivot connection at an end thereof, and a brake mounting integrally formed with the suspension arm; and then securing the suspension arm to an axle. A suspension system includes an axle and a suspension arm having a pivot connection which pivotably connects the axle to a vehicle frame, whereby the axle is vertically displaceable relative to the frame. At least one brake shoe is pivotably mounted to the suspension arm. Another suspension system includes a suspension arm having a pivot connection at an end thereof, and a brake spider integrally formed with the suspension arm. The brake spider includes at least one opening which receives a brake shoe pivot therein.

Abstract: A steerable suspension system may include a steering knuckle and an actuator, the actuator having an effective piston area which varies in response to rotation of the steering knuckle. A method of stabilizing a steerable suspension system may include applying a first level of pressure, thereby applying a stabilizing force to a steering knuckle and permitting rotation of the steering knuckle, and applying a second level of pressure, thereby preventing rotation of the steering knuckle. Another steerable suspension system may include an axle, a tie rod arm, and a pressure operated actuator interconnected between the tie rod arm and the axle.

Abstract: A suspension system can include a spring beam with a bushing receiving opening having outer ends with larger dimensions as compared to an intermediate section of the opening. Another suspension system can include a spring beam having a bushing receiving opening, a resilient bushing received in the opening, and a rigid sleeve received in the bushing, a radial distance between the sleeve and the opening being reduced between opposite ends of the opening. Another suspension system can include an axle, a spring beam attached to the axle, the spring beam including a bushing receiving opening, and a resilient bushing received in the opening, the bushing having outer ends with larger outer dimensions as compared to an intermediate section of the bushing between the bushing outer ends.

Abstract: A liftable independent suspension system which may also be steerable. In a described embodiment, a liftable suspension system for use on a vehicle includes wheel spindles positioned to extend outwardly at each respective lateral side of the vehicle. The spindles are displaceable independent of each other. An actuator is operable to raise at least one of the spindles, so that a tire rotatably connected to the spindle is liftable out of engagement with a road surface when the actuator raises the spindle.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a suspension run height includes: pivotably mounting a leveling valve to a hanger bracket; attaching an indicator arm to a suspension component which displaces relative to the hanger bracket; and pivoting the leveling valve relative to the hanger bracket to thereby adjust the run height of the frame relative to the suspension component. A run height adjustment system includes: a leveling valve having a leveling arm pivotably mounted thereto at a first pivot, and an indicator arm being pivotably mounted to the leveling arm at a second pivot; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve about a third pivot; and the third pivot being positioned longitudinally between the first and second pivots. Another run height adjustment system includes: a leveling arm pivotably mounted to a leveling valve; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve; and the adjustment lever pivotably mounted to a hanger bracket.

Abstract: A suspension system includes a member which extends laterally relative to a frame of a vehicle. At least one spindle carrier may pivot about the member. Multiple spindle carriers may be pivotably mounted at respective opposite ends of the member. A spindle carrier may rotate about an axis which is collinear with and/or parallel to an axis of the member.

Abstract: A method of constructing a vehicle suspension system includes forming a suspension arm having a pivot connection at an end thereof, and a brake mounting integrally formed with the suspension arm; and then securing the suspension arm to an axle. A suspension system includes an axle and a suspension arm having a pivot connection which pivotably connects the axle to a vehicle frame, whereby the axle is vertically displaceable relative to the frame. At least one brake shoe is pivotably mounted to the suspension arm. Another suspension system includes a suspension arm having a pivot connection at an end thereof, and a brake spider integrally formed with the suspension arm. The brake spider includes at least one opening which receives a brake shoe pivot therein.

Abstract: A liftable independent suspension system which may also be steerable. In a described embodiment, a liftable suspension system for use on a vehicle includes wheel spindles positioned to extend outwardly at each respective lateral side of the vehicle. The spindles are displaceable independent of each other. An actuator is operable to raise at least one of the spindles, so that a tire rotatably connected to the spindle is liftable out of engagement with a road surface when the actuator raises the spindle.

Abstract: Dump truck tag axle suspension control. A method of controlling a tag axle suspension includes activating a pusher suspension lift switch; and engaging a steer lock on the tag axle suspension, thereby preventing steering of the tag axle suspension, in response to the lift switch activating step. Another method includes activating a switch to thereby begin operation of a hydraulic pump; and engaging a steer lock of the tag axle suspension, in response to the switch activating step. Yet another method includes applying pressure to a bed lift actuator; sensing the pressure applied to the bed lift actuator; and applying pressure to a tag suspension load actuator, thereby transmitting a load from a frame to a tag axle via the load actuator, in response to the sensed pressure applied to the bed lift actuator reaching a predetermined level.