Abstract: A air spring suspension system includes ground-engaging wheels mounted on an axle housing which is secured to trailing arms pivotally mounted at one end to the frame of the vehicle for vertical swinging movement relative thereto. The other ends of the trailing arms are connected by a transverse beam which extends between them. The beam is connected with the trailing arms by bushed articulating joints which permit the trailing arms to move with respect to each other. A stiffener arm is mounted at one end to each trailing arm by a bushed connection, and rigidly secured at another end to the transverse beam near to where the transverse beam is connected to the trailing arm. The bushed connection between the stiffener arm and the trailing arm provides limited articulation, and resists roll forces imparted to the suspension when the vehicle turns to provide increased stiffness at low rates of roll.

Abstract: A lightweight trailing arm suspension comprises a frame bracket assembly (18), a trailing arm (16) and an air spring assembly (22) formed of a fixed cup (64) with a movable piston (66) mounted in lateral juxtaposed relationship to a terminal end of the trailing arm assembly (56). A clamping assembly (28) affixes the trailing arm to the axle (24), thus suspending the ground engaging wheels (14). A wear pad (60) interposed between a portion of the clamping assembly (28) and the trailing arm (16) resists the torsional moment of the trailing arm to provide stability and minimize wear. The cup (64) is hollow and communicates with the interior of an air spring (72) to provide a reservoir therefor. A track bar (115) with bushed joints at both ends interconnects the frame (10) and the axle housing (26) to provide lateral stability.