Freightliner Corporation

James W Larson

Paul R Hynes

Bruce W Mabbett

Marlin J Toews

David R Wheeler

A vehicle suspension has axle end portions each pivotally coupled to an associated leaf spring and thereby to an associated supporting vehicle frame rail. Control rods are pivotally coupled to the axle at locations below the leaf spring pivots. Desirably, one of such control rods is pivoted to the axle at a location above the wheel axis and the other of such control rods is pivotally coupled to the axle at a location below the wheel axis. A steering mechanism for steering the steerable wheels of a tandem axle includes first and second steering gears mounted to a common frame rail and driven by a single mechanical coupling such as a T-miter box. These steering gears may control respective steering gears at the opposite side of the vehicle.

Front-axle spring pivot suspension and steering apparatus

A spring movement limiting device that limits lateral shift of a spring in a vehicle suspension along a vehicle axle direction includes a first element and a second element. The first element is coupled to the axle and to the spring. The second element is separate from and engageable with the first element. The second element is fixed at a predetermined position relative to the vehicle axle. Engagement between the first element and the second element limits the first element and spring from movement in the vehicle axle direction.

Growing community of inventors

Happy Valley, OR, United States of America

James W Larson