A tool for bridging an outer dynamic seal in a shock absorber to enable fluid leakage to be more readily determined. The tool having an insertion portion including one or more bridging channels, and a body portion that is thicker than the insertion portion. The insertion portion being installable within an annulus of a shock absorber to bridge a first shock absorber seal so as to place a portion of the annulus in fluid communication with an exterior of the hydraulic device via the one or more bridging channels.

A method and apparatus for a suspension comprising a spring having a threaded member at a first end for providing axial movement to the spring as the spring is rotated and the threaded member moves relative to a second component. In one embodiment, the system includes a damper for metering fluid through a piston and a rotatable spring member coaxially disposed around the damper and rotatable relative to the damper.

A tie rod assembly which includes a first rod member and an enclosure which defines an opening and contains a fluid with the first rod member affixed to the enclosure. A second rod member extends through the opening with a seal member positioned between the second rod member and the enclosure. The assembly also includes a head member affixed to the second rod member wherein the head member is positioned within the enclosure and the head member and the second rod member are moveable relative to the enclosure.

A method and apparatus for a suspension comprising a spring having a threaded member at a first end for providing axial movement to the spring as the spring is rotated and the threaded member moves relative to a second component. In one embodiment, the system includes a damper for metering fluid through a piston and a rotatable spring member coaxially disposed around the damper and rotatable relative to the damper.

System and methods for servicing and monitoring shock struts are provided. A shock strut servicing assistance system may comprise: a controller in electronic communication with a display; and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising: calculating, by the controller, a dead volume of a shock strut and determining, by the controller, a first decision, the first decision being whether or not the dead volume of the shock strut is negative. A shock strut servicing assistance system may be for servicing a shock strut having a negative dead volume.

System and methods for servicing and monitoring shock struts are provided. A shock strut servicing assistance system may comprise: a controller in electronic communication with a display; and a tangible, non-transitory memory configured to communicate with the controller, the tangible, non-transitory memory having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the controller, cause the controller to perform operations comprising: calculating, by the controller, a dead volume of the shock strut; and determining, by the controller, if a dead volume of the shock strut is negative or not. The operations may further comprise receiving, by the controller, a temperature of a gas and at least one shock strut design parameter, wherein the calculating is performed using the temperature of the gas and the at least one shock strut design parameter.

A shock assembly with automatically adjustable ride height is disclosed. The assembly includes a main chamber including a fluid therein. A pump tube within the main chamber, the pump tube having a fluid flow path internal thereto, the pump tube disposed axially along a center of the main chamber. A damping piston coupled to a shaft, the damping piston and a portion of the shaft disposed axially about the pump tube, the damping piston disposed in the main chamber to divide the main chamber into a compression side fluid chamber and a rebound side fluid chamber. An automatic ride height adjustment assembly including a tube-in-shaft pump assembly and a spring preload piston assembly.

A method for protecting the suspension and frame of a vehicle is provided. The method may include providing a first working mode where the strut is at a fully expanded state, providing a second working mode where the strut is at a partially collapsed state, and providing a fail-safe working mode where the strut is at a fully collapsed state. The method may further comprise alerting the user that the strut is operating in the fail-safe working mode and servicing the strut by placing a fail-safe member into the strut.

A tool for bridging an outer dynamic seal in a shock absorber to enable fluid leakage to be more readily determined. The tool having an insertion portion including one or more bridging channels, and a body portion that is thicker than the insertion portion. The insertion portion being installable within an annulus of a shock absorber to bridge a first shock absorber seal so as to place a portion of the annulus in fluid communication with an exterior of the hydraulic device via the one or more bridging channels.

A replacement indicator can be operatively associated with an elastomeric article such that the replacement indicator is visually observable. In some cases, the replacement indicator can be secured on or along the elastomeric article. Gas spring assemblies and pneumatic tires including a replacement indicator, as well as methods of manufacture are also included.