Abstract: A radial mounting torque plate for mounting a disk brake component for heavy-duty vehicles, the torque plate comprising an annular portion and a pair of mounting arms. The annular portion is formed with an opening for receiving an axle of the heavy-duty vehicle. The mounting arms are integrally formed with and extend longitudinally outward in opposite directions from the annular portion and have a T-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: A slack adjuster assembly for use with a heavy-duty vehicle drum brake system, the slack adjuster assembly comprising a slack adjuster, a cam tube assembly, and an interlock assembly. The interlock assembly is disposed on an outboard side of the slack adjuster and interconnects the cam tube assembly with the slack adjuster. A component of the interlock assembly and a component of the cam tube assembly cooperate to form a rotation reference mechanism for indexing of an automatic adjustment mechanism of the slack adjuster. The slack adjuster assembly further comprising an inboard sealing assembly and an outboard sealing assembly engaging respective inboard and outboard sides of the slack adjuster to form respective 360-degree interfaces. The cam tube assembly, interlock assembly, and inboard and outboard sealing assemblies forming a continuous grease pathway between the cam tube assembly and the slack adjuster.

Abstract: A slack adjuster assembly for use with a heavy-duty vehicle drum brake system, the slack adjuster assembly comprising a slack adjuster, a cam tube assembly, and an inboard sealing assembly and an outboard sealing assembly. The outboard sealing assembly includes a tubular sealing ring having an L-shaped projection extending radially-inward. The inboard sealing assembly engages an inboard side of the slack adjuster to form a 360-degree interface, and the outboard sealing assembly engages an outboard side of the slack adjuster to form another 360-degree interface. The L-shaped projection limits grease being purged from the cam tube assembly.

Abstract: A sensor mounting arrangement for a drum brake assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising a sensor assembly mounted on a cam tube of the drum brake assembly. The cam tube is formed with an opening. The sensor assembly includes a detector that is at least partially disposed in or adjacent to the opening of the cam tube and a target that is disposed about an outer surface of a camshaft of the drum brake assembly.

Abstract: A radial mounting torque plate for mounting a disk brake component for heavy-duty vehicles, the torque plate comprising an annular portion and a pair of mounting arms. The annular portion is formed with an opening for receiving an axle of the heavy-duty vehicle. The mounting arms are integrally formed with and extend longitudinally outward in opposite directions from the annular portion and have a T-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a central tube and an axle spindle. The axle spindle is fixed to the central tube. The axle spindle has a tubular first section and a tubular second section extending from the first section. The second section has an outer diameter. The second section has a bearing support surface. A tubular transition section is located between the first section and the second section. An annular shoulder portion is formed in an axial end segment of the tubular transition section adjacent the second section. The shoulder portion has at least one annular profile located in the shoulder portion between the annular shoulder surface and the bearing support surface. The annular profile is defined by a surface with a diameter not less than the outer diameter of the second section. An antilock braking system sensor bracket locator nub is integrally formed in the tubular transition section.

Abstract: A slack adjuster assembly for use with a heavy-duty vehicle drum brake system, the slack adjuster assembly comprising a slack adjuster, a cam tube assembly, and an interlock assembly. The interlock assembly is disposed on an outboard side of the slack adjuster and interconnects the cam tube assembly with the slack adjuster. A component of the interlock assembly and a component of the cam tube assembly cooperate to form a rotation reference mechanism for indexing of an automatic adjustment mechanism of the slack adjuster. The slack adjuster assembly further comprising an inboard sealing assembly and an outboard sealing assembly engaging respective inboard and outboard sides of the slack adjuster to form respective 360-degree interfaces. The cam tube assembly, interlock assembly, and inboard and outboard sealing assemblies forming a continuous grease pathway between the cam tube assembly and the slack adjuster.

Abstract: A brake component positioning assembly that is removably connectable to a component of a heavy-duty vehicle. The brake component positioning assembly enables a brake system component to be positioned away from a wheel end of the heavy-duty vehicle to allow removal or servicing of at least one component of a wheel end assembly or the vehicle brake system. In one embodiment, the brake component positioning assembly includes a base block disposed in a cutout of a torque plate. A positioning block slidably engages one or more guide pins received by or disposed through the base block. A positioning bolt threadably engages the positioning block, whereby upon rotation of the positioning bolt, the positioning block and brake system component are positioned away from the bottom block and wheel end. Components of the brake component positioning assembly can be removably connected to each other.

Abstract: A wheel hub for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a first and second tubular hub segment. The first tubular hub segment has a first annular end surface. The second tubular hub segment has a second annular end surface and a radially extending flange. A continuous, circumferential joint is formed at the interface of the first annular end surface and second annular end surface.

Abstract: A disc brake rotor and hub assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle. The disc brake rotor and hub assembly includes a hub portion. The hub portion is receivable on, and rotatable about, an axle spindle of a heavy-duty vehicle. A rotor portion includes a disc segment, a mounting segment and a cylindrical sleeve segment connecting the disc segment to the mounting segment. A flange portion connects with the rotor portion and separately with the hub portion. Optionally, the rotor portion connects directly to the hub portion. A smallest inner dimension of the rotor portion is greater than a largest outer dimension of the hub portion to facilitate removal of the rotor portion without removing the hub portion from the axle spindle.

Abstract: An axle assembly includes a central tube and an axle spindle. The axle spindle is fixed to the central tube. The axle spindle has a tubular first section and a tubular second section extending from the first section. The second section has an outer diameter. The second section has a bearing support surface. A tubular transition section is located between the first section and the second section. An annular shoulder portion is formed in an axial end segment of the tubular transition section adjacent the second section. The shoulder portion has at least one annular profile located in the shoulder portion between the annular shoulder surface and the bearing support surface. The annular profile is defined by a surface with a diameter not less than the outer diameter of the second section. An antilock braking system sensor bracket locator nub is integrally formed in the tubular transition section.

Abstract: An axle and wheel end assembly includes a tubular axle housing with an annular end surface. The axle and wheel end assembly also includes a spindle with an annular end surface welded to the annular end surface of the tubular axle housing at an attachment periphery. The axle and wheel end assembly further includes reinforcing structure fixed to the tubular axle housing and spindle. The reinforcing structure is located to encompass at least a portion of the attachment periphery.

Abstract: An air disc brake system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprising an axle. A spindle is attached to an end portion of the axle. At least a portion of an air disc brake assembly is supported by the spindle. A suspension beam has an axle support portion connectable with the axle. An end portion of the suspension beam is spaced from the axle support portion for attachment with the heavy-duty vehicle. The suspension beam may pivot about the end portion of the suspension beam. An actuator actuates the air disc brake assembly. The actuator has a movable member to actuate the air disc brake assembly. Structure is associated with the suspension beam for supporting at least a portion of the actuator. A surface defines an opening in the suspension beam through which the movable member may extend or that may receive and support a portion of the actuator.

Abstract: A brake component positioning assembly that is removably connectable to a component of a heavy-duty vehicle. The brake component positioning assembly enables a brake system component to be positioned away from a wheel end of the heavy-duty vehicle to allow removal or servicing of at least one component of a wheel end assembly or the vehicle brake system. In one embodiment, the brake component positioning assembly includes a base block disposed in a cutout of a torque plate. A positioning block slidably engages one or more guide pins received by or disposed through the base block. A positioning bolt threadably engages the positioning block, whereby upon rotation of the positioning bolt, the positioning block and brake system component are positioned away from the bottom block and wheel end. Components of the brake component positioning assembly can be removably connected to each other.

Abstract: A wheel hub for a heavy-duty vehicle includes a first and second tubular hub segment. The first tubular hub segment has a first annular end surface. The second tubular hub segment has a second annular end surface and a radially extending flange. A continuous, circumferential joint is formed at the interface of the first annular end surface and second annular end surface.

Abstract: A disc brake rotor and hub assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle. The disc brake rotor and hub assembly includes a hub portion. The hub portion is receivable on, and rotatable about, an axle spindle of a heavy-duty vehicle. A rotor portion includes a disc segment, a mounting segment and a cylindrical sleeve segment connecting the disc segment to the mounting segment. A flange portion connects with the rotor portion and separately with the hub portion. Optionally, the rotor portion connects directly to the hub portion. A smallest inner dimension of the rotor portion is greater than a largest outer dimension of the hub portion to facilitate removal of the rotor portion without removing the hub portion from the axle spindle.

Abstract: An axle and wheel end assembly includes a tubular axle housing with an annular end surface. The axle and wheel end assembly also includes a spindle with an annular end surface welded to the annular end surface of the tubular axle housing at an attachment periphery. The axle and wheel end assembly further includes reinforcing structure fixed to the tubular axle housing and spindle. The reinforcing structure is located to encompass at least a portion of the attachment periphery.

Abstract: An air disc brake system for a heavy-duty vehicle comprising an axle. A spindle is attached to an end portion of the axle. At least a portion of an air disc brake assembly is supported by the spindle. A suspension beam has an axle support portion connectable with the axle. An end portion of the suspension beam is spaced from the axle support portion for attachment with the heavy-duty vehicle. The suspension beam may pivot about the end portion of the suspension beam. An actuator actuates the air disc brake assembly. The actuator has a movable member to actuate the air disc brake assembly. Structure is associated with the suspension beam for supporting at least a portion of the actuator. A surface defines an opening in the suspension beam through which the movable member may extend or that may receive and support a portion of the actuator.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system for a wheeled vehicle, in which the vehicle has a frame, includes an integral arm structure that includes an attachment member for connecting the integral arm structure to the vehicle frame. A flexible transition member is connected to and extends from the attachment member and a body is connected to and extends from the transition member The flexible transition member may be generally curved or angular and enables pivotal movement of the integral arm structure and cooperates with the body to distribute forces encountered by the axle/suspension system The body may be a truss structure or a solid body, which may include a member that replaces a conventional axle tube. Optionally, two axle/suspension integral arm structures may be used to capture a conventional axle tube.

Abstract: A brake torque plate and an installation method for fixedly attaching the plate to an axle tube, includes the plate formed with an opening and a continuous cut extending between the plate peripheral edge and the opening, wherein the diameter of the opening is smaller than that of the axle tube. The cut enables the torque plate to be temporarily expanded for installation on the axle tube by spreading means until the bore diameter is larger than that of the axle tube. Upon mounting of the torque plate on the axle tube, the spreading means is removed to reduce the diameter of the opening, thereby creating an interference fit between the torque plate and the axle tube and minimizing or eliminating the gap between the plate opening and the axle tube to ensure perpendicularity between the axle tube center line and the torque plate inboard and outboard faces.