Abstract: An axle/suspension assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle supported by a frame and a hanger includes a beam, an axle, and a bumper. The axle is supported by a first portion of the beam for pivotal movement of the beam relative to the hanger at a pivot joint. The first portion of the beam is located on a first side of the pivot joint. The bumper is fixed to at least one of the frame, the hanger, and a second portion of the beam. The second portion of the beam is located on an opposite second side of the pivot joint. The bumper includes a portion for contacting structure of at least another of the frame, the hanger, and the beam to limit pivotal movement of the axle in one direction.

Abstract: A slider suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a slider assembly with a main member that is movable relative to a primary frame of the heavy-duty vehicle in a first direction along the extent of the main member. The main member has a first portion and a second portion extending transverse to the first portion. A friction reducing slider wear pad is fixed to the main member and interposed between the main member and the primary frame. The friction reducing slider wear pad has a first segment fixed to the first portion of the main member. The friction reducing slider wear pad also has a second segment engaging at least a part of the second portion of the main member to inhibit movement of the friction reducing pad relative to the main member in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A mechanical down-stop for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems which includes an angled bracket that is rigidly/stiffly attached to the vehicle frame at one end, and is attached to a flexible portion of the mechanical down-stop at its other end. The flexible portion is attached to a beam of the axle/suspension system. The angled bracket is formed of an elastically deformable material and includes a bend that enables the bracket to act as a spring. The angled bracket and the flexible portion limit downward movement and react the downward force of the beam.

Abstract: A mechanical down-stop for heavy-duty vehicle axle/suspension systems which includes an angled bracket that is rigidly/stiffly attached to the vehicle frame at one end, and is attached to a flexible portion of the mechanical down-stop at its other end. The flexible portion is attached to a beam of the axle/suspension system. The angled bracket is formed of an elastically deformable material and includes a bend that enables the bracket to act as a spring. The angled bracket and the flexible portion limit downward movement and react the downward force of the beam.

Abstract: An axle/suspension assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle supported by a frame and a hanger includes a beam, an axle, and a bumper. The axle is supported by a first portion of the beam for pivotal movement of the beam relative to the hanger at a pivot joint. The first portion of the beam is located on a first side of the pivot joint. The bumper is fixed to at least one of the frame, the hanger, and a second portion of the beam. The second portion of the beam is located on an opposite second side of the pivot joint. The bumper includes a portion for contacting structure of at least another of the frame, the hanger, and the beam to limit pivotal movement of the axle in one direction.

Abstract: A slider suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a slider assembly with a main member that is movable relative to a primary frame of the heavy-duty vehicle in a first direction along the extent of the main member. The main member has a first portion and a second portion extending transverse to the first portion. A friction reducing slider wear pad is fixed to the main member and interposed between the main member and the primary frame. The friction reducing slider wear pad has a first segment fixed to the first portion of the main member. The friction reducing slider wear pad also has a second segment engaging at least a part of the second portion of the main member to inhibit movement of the friction reducing pad relative to the main member in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle is mounted on the heavy-duty vehicle frame or sub-frame via a beam of the suspension assembly which is pivotally connected to a hanger connected to the vehicle frame. The pivotal connection includes the hanger, the beam, a bushing assembly and a fastener group, and a textured feature formed in at least one of at least a portion of the hanger, at least a portion of the bushing assembly, or at least a portion of the fastening means so that the textured feature inhibits relative movement of the bushing assembly with respect to the hanger.

Abstract: A suspension assembly of an axle/suspension system for a heavy-duty vehicle is mounted on the heavy-duty vehicle frame or sub-frame via a beam of the suspension assembly which is pivotally connected to a hanger connected to the vehicle frame. The pivotal connection includes the hanger, the beam, a bushing assembly and a fastener group, and a textured feature formed in at least one of at least a portion of the hanger, at least a portion of the bushing assembly, or at least a portion of the fastening means so that the textured feature inhibits relative movement of the bushing assembly with respect to the hanger.