The invention relates to a vehicle suspension system of the type wherein one end of a suspension is articulated to a chassis or vehicle body so that the axle end of the suspension is able to move vertically relative to the chassis through intermediate springs and, more specifically, wherein the sole means of articulation of the suspension to the chassis is through a pair of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending radius rods or bushed suspension arms and which suspension is able to flex to accommodate limited relative vertical movement of the wheels supported by the suspension.
From opposed ends of a front frame, there extend right and left side frames. A front suspension structure is arranged behind the front frame and located between the right and left side frames. The front suspension structure includes a front member which extends between respective lower portions of the right and left side frames. The front member has a steering gear mounted thereon. A reinforcing structure extends between the front frame and the front member to reinforce the front suspension structure against an external force suddenly applied to the front member.
An adjustment mechanism for alignment of a pivot bushing, trailing beam and axle of a vehicle having a pivot bushing housing mounted on the beam of a vehicle frame. Flanges are mounted on the exterior of the side walls of the bushing housing. The adjusting mechanism includes a nut attached to one of the flanges, the nut positioned to receive the threaded shaft of a bolt extending forward and rearwardly, an aligning plate attached to the bolt, the aligning plate engaging the front wall of the housing to move the threaded bushing rod forwardly and rearwardly upon tightening and loosening of the nut and bolt.
An air spring suspension system for vehicle axles reduces the dynamic force on the system's air springs during braking and acceleration of the vehicle and thereby prevents the diving of the vehicle chassis toward the road surface on application of the vehicle's brakes or acceleration of the vehicle.
An independent steerable air suspension system includes a torsional member to interconnect independent longitudinally extending suspension arms. The torsional member ties together the suspension arms to minimize side loads upon an air spring to increase vehicle roll stiffness. Bending moment due to the wheel load offset, braking, and other side-skid loads are transmitted through the suspension arms and the torsional member. In another embodiment, the suspension system includes an additional lateral support member which provides a rigid square-shaped suspension system which further increases rigidity.
A deformable transverse member for a motor vehicle rear axle assembly with trailing arms is formed of a metal section piece having a continuous longitudinal opening that extends along at least 80% of the length of the metal section piece and is fitted with a block of elastomeric material fastened to the section piece at a position selected to close off a central part of the continuous longitudinal opening.
