Abstract: A vehicle component such as an axle spindle or suspension beam (3) is connected to a tubular vehicle axle (1) by fitting a connector sleeve (2) onto the axle and subjecting the assembly to a crimping operation in which plural depressions (206,2018) are formed by indentation in the connector sleeve and the axle wall at the connection region (11,12) to fix the connector sleeve on the tubular axle. In the described proposals a solid lubricant (4) such as molybdenum disulphide is applied at the connection region between the connector sleeve (2) and axle (1), before crimping. The further vehicle component (3) is then connected to the connector sleeve (2) by welding.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system (1) has an axle (5) supported from the frame of the vehicle by a pair of rigid longitudinal beams (4) pivoted to frame hangers (3). Air springs (7) and shock absorbers (8) connect between the rigid beams (4) and the frame above to control suspension movement. The axle/suspension system is particularly suited as a mid-lift axle on the tractor of a tractor-trailer vehicle. A characteristic feature is the pivotal connection (21) between each hanger (3) and beam (4), which is through a resilient bush (6) having a compliance ratio—being a ratio of the longitudinal spring rate to the vertical spring rate—of at least 10:1.

Abstract: A vehicle component such as an axle spindle or suspension beam (3) is connected to a tubular vehicle axle (1) by fitting a connector sleeve (2) onto the axle and subjecting the assembly to a crimping operation in which plural depressions (206,2018) are formed by indentation in the connector sleeve and the axle wall at the connection region (11,12) to fix the connector sleeve on the tubular axle. In the described proposals a solid lubricant (4) such as molybdenum disulphide is applied at the connection region between the connector sleeve (2) and axle (1), before crimping. The further vehicle component (3) is then connected to the connector sleeve (2) by welding.

Abstract: An axle/suspension system (1) has an axle (5) supported from the frame of the vehicle by a pair of rigid longitudinal beams (4) pivoted to frame hangers (3). Air springs (7) and shock absorbers (8) connect between the rigid beams (4) and the frame above to control suspension movement. The axle/suspension system is particularly suited as a mid-lift axle on the tractor of a tractor-trailer vehicle. A characteristic feature is the pivotal connection (21) between each hanger (3) and beam (4), which is through a resilient bush (6) having a compliance ratio—being a ratio of the longitudinal spring rate to the vertical spring rate—of at least 10:1.