Abstract: A clamping apparatus used for improving the fastening of a mounting projection between proximal and distal flanges of a clevis. The proximal flange of the clevis has a hole, an inner side facing the distal flange, and an outer side. The clamping apparatus includes a threaded clamping plug sized to fit in the hole in the proximal flange and to abut the mounting projection when the clamping plug is in the hole in the proximal flange and the mounting projection is between the two flanges. Another embodiment is an apparatus for fastening a mounting projection to a structure. The fastening apparatus includes a clevis attached to the structure, the clevis having a proximal flange and a distal flange. The proximal and distal flanges each have a hole, an inner side, and an outer side.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a vehicle rear suspension system for use with the vehicle's side rails and wheel support members secured to the ends of a tubular axle. The system includes oppositely disposed trailing arms pivotally connected at their forward ends to the respective side rails and connected by a pair of vertically oriented resilient bushings at their trailing ends to the respective wheel support members. Each bushing includes an inner metal sleeve secured to the adjacent wheel support member, an outer metal sleeve secured to the trailing arm, and a rubber ring bonded between the sleeves.

Abstract: Metallic sheet stock is formed to define a one-piece blank with three transverse fold lines providing four panels folded into a light weight generally C-shaped shell-like bracket for supporting a wheel, a pair of control links, a trailing arm and a resiliently telescoping strut of a vehicle rear wheel suspension system.

Abstract: A light weight knuckle bracket for supporting a wheel hub and longitudinal and lateral control arms on a shock absorber strut of a vehicle rear suspension system. The bracket is formed from a pair of forward and aft mirror image body units stamped from sheet metal integrated with each other by mutually facing outboard and inboard planar portions welded together. Each body unit is formed with a semi-cylindrical socket portion intermediate the outboard and inboard planar portions. The mutually facing socket portions define a cylindrical pathway snugly enveloping and connecting a tubular member of the strut to the bracket providing a combined rigid structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing is disclosed for the installation of a one piece damper member for retaining the midpoint of a torsion tube on the torsional axis of a channel-shaped cross beam vehicle rear axle. The damper member is formed during the axle assembly line advancement by injecting a first mass of hardenable urethane paste material into a side gap portion and arcuate shaped central gap portion of a D-shaped recess defined intermediate the channel interior and the tube. A second mass of the urethane paste material is injected into the remaining side gap portion and channel upper open end space. As an adjunct to the axle being advanced through assembly line washing, wax coating and heat treating operations the first and second masses coalesce and attain an accelerated final curing of the tube retaining damper member.

Abstract: An improved rear axle beam assembly for a trailing arm suspension system. The beam assembly comprises a tubular member extending transversely between the vehicle rear wheels. A pair of first and second outer sleeves, each fixed to the rearward end of a trailing arm, concentrically surround the respective outboard end portions of the tubular member. The first sleeve is fixedly attached to the one end portion of the tubular member while the second sleeve is journally mounted on the other end portion of the tubular member. A pair of first and second wheel support castings each having a collar portion defining an axial bore fixedly receiving therein the outboard end of an associated outer sleeve. An anti-roll torsion bar is axially positioned in the journaled second sleeve end portion of the tubular member.

Abstract: A suspension system for the rear wheels of a motor vehicle includes a pair of leaf springs having their fore and aft ends pivotally mounted to the vehicle frame or body. The leaf springs flexibly support a tubular rear axle member forwardly and downwardly offset from the rear wheel spindles by a pair of left and right one-piece castings. Each casting has an outboard spindle mounting L-shaped angle portion and an inboard forwardly and downwardly offset collar portion joined by a canted bridging portion. The collars each receive one end of the tubular axle member. The casting include a jounce deflection stop-plate for engaging its associated frame bumper. Leaf springs are seated on each casting below the spindle axis and above the tubular axle member reducing the design height of the vehicle. The tubular axle portion and spindles are constrained to move equal distances during upward jounce deflection.