A kingpin assembly includes a pin that has a shaft with a spherical member extending therefrom. The kingpin includes a base that has a spherical interior surface which defines an interior area. The interior area includes an open end of the base and is bounded by a closed end of the base. The closed end of the base is opposite the open end. The spherical member is rotatingly disposed in the interior area with the shaft extending away from the open end. The closed end has a torque receiving configuration for receiving a torque applying tool thereon.

A top mount assembly includes an upper plate having a first bushing accommodation portion formed to protrude upward at a center portion; a lower plate disposed below the upper plate and having a second bushing accommodation portion formed to protrude downward at a center portion; a rubber bushing accommodated in an accommodation space defined by the first bushing accommodation portion and the second bushing accommodation portion when the upper plate and the lower plate are coupled to each other; a plurality of bolts coupled to the lower plate and the upper plate so as to protrude upward from the upper plate; an upper housing integrally coupled to the lower plate and the plurality of bolts below the lower plate by an insert injection molding; a lower housing coupled to the upper housing from below the upper housing; and a bearing interposed between the upper housing and the lower housing.

A connecting tube for connecting two joint attachments of a steering or track rod. The connecting tube is reinforced by at least one tube section connected by friction force to the connecting tube such that either the entire outer or inside wall the tube section is in contact against a wall of the connecting tube, thereby forming a press fit connection. The steering or the track rod has a connecting tube with end sections that each hold or support components of joint attachments. A method for producing a connecting tube or the steering or the track rod in which first a tube semifabricate of the tube section is positioned within a tube semifabricate of the connecting tube and then the two tube semifabricates are expanded within a connection zone by a mandrel with an oversized section that is moved along the common axial direction of the two tube semifabricates.

The suspension system includes a stabilizer bar which has an opening. The suspension system also includes a linkage, which includes a rod-shaped link and a pair of bushings that are made of a compressible material. The link presents male threads which extend to an end face and a stop out which is spaced from the end face, and the link extends through the opening of the stabilizer bar. One of the bushings is disposed on the rod-shaped link between the stop out and the opening of the stabilizer bar, and the other bushing is disposed on the link between the opening of the stabilizer bar and the locking nut. A locking nut is threadedly engaged with the link such that the end face of the link contacts a closed end of the locking nut. The bushings are partially compressed against the stabilizer bar.

A suspension for a wheeled vehicle include an axle with a mid-section and an end comprising an upper portion and a lower portion defining a space therebetween, a leaf spring having forward and rear ends attached to vehicle structure and a mid-section retained in the space and secured between the upper and lower portions, and a closure element attached to the axle end and at least partially closing an outboard end of the space. The upper and lower axle portions may be formed integrally with the axle mid-section or may be a separately-formed component secured to the axle. The space tapers from a greater vertical dimension at the outboard end thereof to a smaller vertical dimension at an inboard end thereof, and the leaf spring mid-section is wedged into the space. An intermediate element is disposed between the mid-section and at least one of the upper and lower axle portions.

A shear bolt and an axle suspension system having a shear bolt. The shear bolt may have a shear head and an enlarged head. The shear head may be configured to detach from the shear bolt. The enlarged head may have first and second protrusions that may be grasped by a tool in a manner that prevents tightening of the shear bolt.

A method and apparatus for building an assembly fixture for holding a fuselage assembly. A number of cradle fixtures may be driven across a floor to an assembly area. The number of cradle fixtures may be configured to form the assembly fixture.

A method and apparatus for adjusting an adjustable retaining structure. The adjustable retaining structure may be rotated, passively, about a spherical interface as a panel applies a load to the adjustable retaining structure.

A method and apparatus for installing a fastener. A reactive structural force is generated in a first direction during installation of the fastener. A new reactive structural force is generated in a second direction opposite to the first direction during the installation of the fastener.

A joint is formed between first and second workpieces. The first workpiece defines a cavity, while the second workpiece includes a shear member. The shear member is at least partially inserted into the cavity to secure the first workpiece to the second workpiece. One of the workpieces has a lower hardness and/or shear strength than the other workpiece and includes at least one shear tab with a base portion and an end portion. In inserting the shear member into the cavity, the end portion of the shear tab is broken away from the base portion, leaving the base portion to extend between the cavity and the shear member, thereby securing the first workpiece to the second workpiece.