US Patent:
20050253351, Nov 17, 2005
Inventors:
Mark Smith - Troy MI, US
Harry Trost - Rochester Hills MI, US
Thomas Buley - Berkley MI, US
Dale Eschenburg - Rochester Hills MI, US
Paul Bragan - Clarkston MI, US
Rajesh Sommay - Troy MI, US
Tiong Lie - Naperville IL, US
Jack McKenzie - Clarkston MI, US
Everett Hall - Farmington Hills MI, US
International Classification:
B60G009/02
Abstract:
An axle housing includes a suspension mount interface for mounting a vehicle suspension to the axle housing. The axle housing includes a first leg portion extending to a first wheel assembly and a second leg portion extending to a second wheel assembly. The first and second leg portions each include a suspension mount interface. Each suspension mount interface includes first and second bracket portions. The first and second bracket portions are clamped together prior to attachment to the axle housing to form a suspension bracket assembly. One clamped suspension bracket assembly is then slid over each axle housing leg portion. The first and second bracket portions are subjected to a preload force as they are welded or fastened to each other, providing a preload effect to define a suspension load path that has positive contact only at desired locations on the axle housing.