Provided are a shock absorber and a bracket which are improved in attachment rigidity. A cylindrical portion is shaped by press-forming first and second holes in sheet material (flat plate) and then curving the sheet material into a tube, in which a bridge portion is formed between the first and second holes. The bracket is thus improved to have higher formability as compared to conventional brackets which are not provided with a bridge portion. This improves the accuracy (cylindricity, in particular) of the cylindrical portion. It is then possible to improve the shock absorber in attachment rigidity against a lateral force to the anteroposterior direction of a vehicle in a situation where the bracket is used to attach the shock absorber to the knuckle.

A wheel carrier of a vehicle includes a clamping seat connection to a suspension strut or the like, which connection is clamped by a bolt-type connection. A lever structure is attached by this bolt-type connection to the clamping seat connection of the wheel carrier, from which lever structure an impact section projects from the bolt-type connection such that an obstacle striking this impact section or other object striking this impact section causes, in a vehicle crash, an at least partial release of the suspension strut in or from the clamping seat connection as a result of the impact.

An offset washer for adjusting the camber angle in a vehicle is disclosed. The offset washer includes a body having an upper surface and a lower surface, an aperture extending through the body, and a protrusion having a longitudinal width different than the body thickness. The protrusion is configured to be inserted into a receiving aperture on a flange of a vehicle suspension system. The protrusion is defined by a formed upset defining a step in the material along a portion of the edge of the aperture, which is formed by upsetting the portion of the edge of the aperture when forming the aperture.

A shock absorber according to the present invention includes: a shock absorber main body having an outer shell and a rod; and a knuckle bracket attached to an outer circumference of the bottom end of the outer shell. The knuckle bracket includes: a holding portion having a cylindrical shape with a C-shaped cross section, and that holds the outer circumference of the outer shell; a pair of attachment portions extending radially outwards, and in parallel with each other, from respective circumferential ends of the holding portion; and reinforcing portions formed by bending top ends of the attachment portions in directions approaching each other; and a C-shaped welded portion having a C-shaped surface that is formed by top ends of the reinforcing portions and a top end of the holding portion, the C-shaped welded portion being formed by welding the C-shaped surface to the outer shell, across a range from a position spaced from one circumferential end of the C-shaped surface, traversing across an upper part of a rear side of the holding portion, to the other circumferential end of the C-shaped surface.

Provided are a shock absorber and a bracket which are improved in attachment rigidity. A cylindrical portion is shaped by press-forming first and second holes in sheet material (flat plate) and then curving the sheet material into a tube, in which a bridge portion is formed between the first and second holes. The bracket is thus improved to have higher formability as compared to conventional brackets which are not provided with a bridge portion. This improves the accuracy (cylindricity, in particular) of the cylindrical portion. It is then possible to improve the shock absorber in attachment rigidity against a lateral force to the anteroposterior direction of a vehicle in a situation where the bracket is used to attach the shock absorber to the knuckle.

A modular axle clamp and riser system for use in a suspension system, which includes a top mount having a substantially flat upper surface, a top mount body which extends transversely to the flat upper surface, a pair of opposing ears which extend from the top mount body, and at least one top mount tooth extending from the top mount body in a direction opposite the ears. Also included is a wedge with at least one wedge tooth which matingly engages the at least one top mount tooth, a wedge upper surface, and a pinion angle surface. Further, the wedge defines a pinion angle between the wedge upper surface and the pinion angle surface. Moreover, an axle mount with at least one axle mount tooth which matingly engages at least one of the at least one top mount tooth and the at least one wedge tooth is provided.

A modular axle clamp and riser system for use in a suspension system, which includes a top mount having a substantially flat upper surface, a top mount body which extends transversely to the flat upper surface, a pair of opposing ears which extend from the top mount body, and at least one top mount tooth extending from the top mount body in a direction opposite the ears. Also included is a wedge with at least one wedge tooth which matingly engages the at least one top mount tooth, a wedge upper surface, and a pinion angle surface. Further, the wedge defines a pinion angle between the wedge upper surface and the pinion angle surface. Moreover, an axle mount with at least one axle mount tooth which matingly engages at least one of the at least one top mount tooth and the at least one wedge tooth is provided.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shock absorber that can use a single bracket regardless of difference in thickness of a knuckle bracket. A shock absorber according to the present invention includes: a shock absorber main body having an outer shell and a rod movably inserted into the outer shell; a knuckle bracket attached to an outer circumference on a bottom end side of the outer shell; and a bracket including a curved piece curved along a circumferential direction of an outer circumference of the outer shell and an attachment piece extending from the curved piece and to which a mounting component is attached, the curved piece including a bracket attached to the outer shell by being welded to the outer circumference of the outer shell and within a range from a top end to a bottom end of the knuckle bracket in an axial direction of the outer shell.