MXPA04007280A

MXPA04007280A - Suspension system having reduced stress axle connection.

Info

Publication number: MXPA04007280A
Application number: MXPA04007280A
Authority: MX
Inventors: R Watson Donald
Original assignee: Watson & Chalin Mfg Inc
Priority date: 2002-02-01
Filing date: 2002-02-01
Publication date: 2004-10-29
Also published as: CA2474746A1; CA2474746C; AU2002236941B2; AU2002236941A1; WO2003066355A1; AU2002236941C1

Abstract

A vehicle suspension system (10) includes features which reduce stress in an axle connection. In a described embodiment, a vehicle suspension system (10) includes a sleeve (48) which is clamped on an axle (12). The sleeve (48) is retained in its clamped position and is welded to opposing side walls (22) of an arm (14). A bottom plate (24) of the arm (14) may also be welded to the sleeve (48).

Description

SISTEKkHDE ~ SO¾PKN ION < -) U HAS REDUCED VOLTAGE AXIS CONNECTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally related to vehicle suspension systems and, in a mode described hn, more particularly provides a suspension system having an axle connection with reduced tension.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is well known in the art of suspension systems to weld an arm to an axle of the suspension system. Due to the economy requirements and manufacturing tolerances, a certain clearance between the shaft and the arm is typically provided. Unfortunately, this clearance between the shaft and the arm leads to relatively weak welds, for example, having a reduced fatigue resistance. This clearance between the shaft and the arm also increases the tension in the welds, leading to a premature failure of the welds. It has been proposed to reinforce the shaft by means of a sleeve interposed between the shaft and the arm. In such a proposal, the sleeve is snapped onto the shaft to reduce the amount of friction, which adds steps to the manufacturing process, requires additional special equipment, requires exceptionally narrow machining tolerances, etc. In another such proposal, the sleeve is made of several segments that are assembled around the shaft before being welded to it, but this complicates the manufacturing process and also requires additional special steps and equipment to assemble the sleeve segments around the shaft, without solving the problem of clearance between the shaft and the member or members welded tho From the foregoing, it can be seen that it is desirable to provide a suspension system and an associated manufacturing process that reduces the tension in a shaft connection by removing the clearance between the eey and a soldier welded to the shaft, such a suspension system and manufacturing process would also preferably provide Welding arm to the shaft without placing welds in the high voltage areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In carrying out the principles of the present invention, according to one embodiment thf, a suspension system is provided which includes a sleeve welded to an axle and an arm of the suspension system. Also, thare provided methods for manufacturing - a suspension system. In one aspect of the invention, a vehicle suspension system is provided which includes an axle, a sleeve and an arm. The sleeve is clamped on the shaft without pressure adjustment, and the sleeve is welded in its clamped position. The shaft can also be welded to the sleeve in its clamped position. The arm is fixed to the shaft by welding the arm directly to the sleeve. In another aspect of the invention, the arm has opposite side walls. Each of the side walls has an opening formed thhrough. The sleeve is received in each of the openings, and the magiite is welded to the arm at less than 360 degrees around a periphery of each of the openings. In still another aspect of the invention, this provided a method for manufacturing a vehicle suspension system. The method includes the steps of fastening a sleeve to an axle without adjusting it to pressure; solder the sleeve, with this holding the sleeve in its clamped position; and by welding the sleeve to each of the opposite side walls of an arm, the sleeve is welded less than 360 degrees around an opening formed through each of the side walls. fastening the sleeve to the shaft removes the clearance between the sleeve and the shaft, and applies a compression tension between the sleeve and the shaft. The clamping step can be accomplished by tightening a fastener in a clamp portion of the sleeve. The compression stress between the sleeve and the shaft can be retained by welding members of the sleeve clamp portion from each other. These and other features, advantages and benefits and objects of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon careful consideration of the detailed description of the representative embodiments of the invention mentioned below and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a side view of a suspension system exemplifying the principles of the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of an axle / clamp subassembly of the suspension system of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 3 is a side view of an arm subassembly of the suspension system of FIGURE i; FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of an alternative axle / clamp sub-assembly of the suspension system of FIGURE 1; FIGURE 5 is a top view of the alternative shaft / clamp sub-assembly of FIGURE 4; FIGURE 6 is a side view of the suspension system of FIGURE 1 incorporating the alternative shaft / clamp sub-assembly of FIGURE 4; FIGURE 7 is a side view of a second suspension system exemplifying the principles of the present invention; FIGURE 8 is a side view of a third suspension system exemplifying the principles of the present invention; FIGURE 9 is a side view of a fourth suspension system exemplifying the principles of the present invention; FIGURE 10 is a side view of a fifth suspension system exemplifying the principles of the present invention; FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of the fifth suspension system, taken along line 11-11 of FIGURE 10; FIGURE 12 is a cross-sectional view of the fifth suspension system, showing an alternative configuration thereof; and FIGURE 13 is a cross-sectional view of the fifth suspension system, showing another alternative configuration thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Representatively illustrated in FIGURE 1, a portion of a vehicle suspension system 10 exemplifying the principles of the present invention is shown. In the following description of the suspension system 10 and other apparatuses and methods described herein, directional terms, such as "enzymes", "below", "upper", "lower", "upper part", "lower part", etc., it is used only for convenience to refer to the attached drawings. Additionally, it should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention described herein should be used in various orientations, such as inclined, inverted, horizontal, vertical, etc., and in various configurations, without departing from the principles of the present invention. . The suspension system 10 includes a shaft 12 fixed to two rear arms 14. Only one of the arms 14 is visible in FIGURE 1. The suspension system 10 is Sel type having 1-4- rear drrs bs pivotally fixed at their front ends to opposite side sides of a vehicle frame 16 (see FIGURE 1). 6), and fixed at or near their rear ends to the shaft 12. It should be clearly understood, however, that the principles of the invention can be incorporated into other types of suspension systems having any number of arms. The arm 14 includes a bushing sleeve 18 at its forward end for receiving a pivot bushing of the type well known to those skilled in the art. Extending rearward from the bushing sleeve 18 are four outer sides of the arm 14, the four sides include a top plate 20, two opposite side walls 22 (only one of which is visible in FIGURE 1), and a plate 24 lower. The upper plate 20 and the lateral walls 22 are preferably formed of a single sheet of metal which is bent so that it has a generally U-shaped cross section. The lower plate 24 extends laterally between the side walls 22 and is welded to the side walls along a lower peripheral edge 26 of each side wall. The lower plate 24, the upper plate 20, and the side walls 22 are also welded at their front ends to the rear axle., the arm 14 can be constructed in another way without departing from the principles of the invention. The shaft 12 extends through a circular opening 28 formed through each side wall 22. Note that the opening 28 does not completely cover the shaft 12, however, since there is a space 30 that extends between the opening 28 and the edge 26. These characteristics of the arm 14 can be seen more clearly in FIGURE 3, where the arm is illustrated before being fixed to the shaft 12, the bushing sleeve 18 and the lower plate 24. In a unique aspect of the invention, the arm 14 is fixed to the shaft 12 using a sleeve 32 which is attached to the shaft. This clamping of the sleeve 32 to the shaft 12 applies a compression tension between the sleeve and the shaft, and removes the clearance between the shaft and the sleeve. As a result, when the sleeve 32 is then welded to the shaft 12, the welds are much stronger and have increased fatigue resistance. Note that this result is obtained without the addition of additional costs of precise machining tolerances and specialized equipment required to press fit a sleeve on an axis. The heating and / or cooling equipment and the processes required for a shrink fit adjustment of the camJco-s¾ ~ L wantm Instead, the sleeve 32 of the suspension system 10 is clamped on the shaft 12 using fasteners 34, such as screws, clamps or any other type of fastener, in the clamp portion 36 of the sleeve. The fasteners 34 can be seen in FIGURE 2, where a front view of the sleeve 32 and the shaft 12 is illustrated before the arm 14 is fixed thereto. The fasteners 34 pass through holes 38 formed through the clamp portion 36. In a preferred method for manufacturing the suspension system 10, the sleeve 32 is positioned on the shaft 12 and the fasteners 34 are tightened on the clamp portion 36 to remove the clearance between the sleeve and the shaft. The sleeve 32 is then welded to the shaft 12. Preferably, the sleeve 32 is first welded to the shaft 12 around the openings 40 formed through the sleeve. The openings 40 center on opposite vertical sides of the sleeve 32. In this way, the sleeve 32 is welded to the shaft 12 in a low tension area of the shaft and reduces the effects of stress concentrations on the shaft due to welding. This combination of higher strength welds (due to the removal of the clearance between sleeve 32 and shaft 12) and Id placement of welds in a low tension area of the shaft provides increased resistance in the shaft and in the sleeve connection to axis. Note, however, that the sleeve 32 can also be welded on the shaft 12 to the opposite side ends 42 of the sleeve, for example, either partially or completely covering the shaft. Alternatively, if the clamping of the sleeve 32 on the shaft 2 produces a sufficient support load therebetween, welding between the sleeve and the shaft may not be required. After the sleeve 32 is welded to the shaft 12, the sleeve is inserted into the openings 28 in the arm 14, and the arm is welded to the sleeve around the openings. Note that the fastening portion 36 is received in the spaces 30 when the sleeve 32 is inserted into the openings 28. To allow the fastening portion 36 to be received in the spaces 30, the fasteners 34 can be removed from the clamp portion before of inserting the sleeve 32. Other embodiments are described below, wherein it is not necessary to remove the fasteners 34 before inserting the sleeve 32 into the openings 28. Thus it can be seen that the manufacturing method of the present invention does not depend of no particular order of steps.

For a resistance resistance in the shaft connection 12 with the arm 14, the clamp portion 36 can be welded, thereby retaining the compression tension between the sleeve 32 and the shaft. In FIGURE 1, a weld 44 is shown between two members of the clamp portion 36 extending outwardly from the space 30. However, it is not necessary for the clamp portion 36 to be welded together to maintain the principles of the invention. The lower plate 24 of the arm 14 is also preferably welded to the clamp portion 36 of the sleeve 32. Another lower plate 46 extending between and attached to the side walls 22 can also be welded to the clamp portion 36 . Note that the lower plates 24, 46 can be welded to the side walls 22 along the edges 26 before inserting the sleeve 32 into the openings 28, or the lower plates can be welded to the side walls and the sleeve 32 after that the sleeve is inserted into the openings. To obtain increased strength, the sleeve 32 substantially covers the shaft 12, extending substantially more than 180 degrees around the shaft. The openings 28 extend less than 360 degrees around the sleeve 32, so that the side walls 2 ~ 2 will sleep about 3 ~ 6?-Degrees-around the sleeve. The edges of the space 30 can be welded to the clamp portion 36 to provide additional strength to the joint between the sleeve 32 and the arm 14. Referring now further to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternative magiit 48 is illustrated representatively attached to the clamp portion 36. shaft 12. Alternative sleeve 48 differs from sleeve 32 described above in that it includes a laterally extending portion 50. In this way, the alternative sleeve 48 is substantially wider than the sleeve 32. The portion 50 provides a convenient place to mount additional equipment, such as a shock absorber, to the sleeve 48. In this way, the equipment can be fixed rigidly to the shaft 12 by means of the sleeve 48, without the need to also, or alternatively, fix the equipment to the arm 14. This saves weight, improves the efficiency of the manufacturing processes and reduces the tension in the arm 14 (contrary to fixing such equipment to the arm, which typically requires substantial arm reinforcement). Referring now further to FIGURE 6, the suspension system 10 is illustrated representatively with the high-rise 4 - 8 altcrnative-incorporated therein. The arm 14 is pivotally fixed to the bracket 52 extending downwardly from the vehicle frame 16. A bushing 54 is received in the bushing sleeve 18, thereby allowing the arm 14 to rotate and articulate in some way relative to the bracket 52. An air damper 56 is positioned between the frame 16 and a rear portion of the arm 14. A damper 58 is interconnected between the bracket 52 and the magitous 48. For this purpose, a mounting bracket 60 is welded to the portion 50 of the sleeve 48. In this way, it can be seen that the invention provides a convenient fixation of the shock absorber 58 to shaft 12, without requiring that the shock absorber be mounted to arm 14. Referring now further to FIGURE 7, suspension system 10 is representatively illustrated with an alternative arm 62 incorporated therein instead of arm 14 described above . The arm 62 is very similar to the arm 14, but differs at least in one respect in that it includes a space 64 in at least one of its side walls 66 which is configured to allow the fasteners 34 to pass through the same Thus, it is not necessary for fasteners 3 ~ 4 to be removable from ra-o-reiéri-3-6-bracket before inserting sleeve 32 into openings 28. Of course, other means to allow fasteners 34 passing through the side walls 66 can also be used without departing from the principles of the invention. For example, the fasteners 34 can be lowered into the clamp portion 36, etc. The clamp portion 36 can still be welded together, for example, by welding 44, although the fasteners 34 are not removed from the clamp portion. In addition, the lower plates 24, 46 can still be welded to the clamp portion 36. Referring now further to FIGURE 8, the suspension system 10 is representatively illustrated with another arm 68 constructed alternately. The arm 68 is very similar to the arm 14, but differs in one respect in that it has openings 70 in each of its side walls 72 that intersect, or are open at, or are lower than the peripheral edges 74 of the side walls. . Thus, there are no separate spaces 30 extending between the openings 70 and the peripheral edges 74, but the spaces may instead be considered part of the openings.

The openings 70 are close to the lower edges 74, so that when the sleeve 32 is inserted into the openings, the fasteners 34 are below the side walls 72. This is another means by which it is not necessary for the fasteners 34 to be removed from the clamp portion 36 prior to inserting the sleeve 32 into the openings 70. This may also allow the lower plates 24, 46 to be welded to the sleeve 32. above the clamp portion 36. The clamp portion 36 may also be welded together as described above, whether the fasteners 34 are removed or not. Referring now further to FIGURE 9, another alternative construction of the suspension system 10 is illustrated representatively. The damper 58 is interconnected between the bracket 52 and the shaft 12 in a manner similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 6. However, instead of welding the damper mounting bracket 60 directly to the portion 50 of the sleeve 48, the bracket assembly is fixed to the sleeve 32 by means of another bracket 76. The bracket 76 can be welded to the clamp portion 36 of the sleeve 32. If desired, the bracket 76 can also be welded to the arm 68, for example, by welding the plate 24 lower. In that case, the bracket 76 also clearly in the cross-sectional view depicted in FIGURE 11. In this view, it can be seen that the clamp portion 80 includes two recesses 82 aligned with the side walls 72 of the arm 68. The recesses 82 allow the sleeve 78 to turn inside. of the openings 70 in the side walls 72. When the sleeve 78 is inserted into the openings 70, the clamp portion 80 is positioned so that it extends downwardly as seen in FIGURE 10, so that the clamp portion passes through the spaces between the clamps. openings and lower edges 74 of the side walls 72. The recesses 82 then align with the side walls 72 and the magiite 78 rotates until the clamp portion 80 extends upwardly: The handle 8-ST = -surface-link 68 with the clamp portion 80 in its vertical position. This vertical position of the clamp portion 80 increases the lower headroom of the suspension system 10. Note that the lower plates 24, 46 can be welded to the side walls 72 after the sleeve 78 and the side walls 72 are welded together, in order to provide access to the sleeve between the side walls. The lower plates 24, 46 can also be welded to the sleeve 78. The fasteners 34 can be removed, or they can remain in the clamp portion 80. The clamp portion 80 may be welded together as described above, whether the fasteners 34 are removed or not. The side walls 72 of the arm 68 are parallel to each other as shown in FIGURE 11. However, it is not necessary for the side walls 72 to be parallel to each other. In FIGURE 12, the arm 68 is shown with an alternative construction wherein the side walls 72 each lean inward toward the top plate 20, and tilt out toward the bottom plate 46. Note that the recesses 82 of the clamp portion 80 as shown in FIGURE 12 have been enlarged (~ as compared to the clamp-8-portion shown in FIGURE 11) to accommodate the walls. lateral inclined. In FIGURE 13, another alternative construction of the arm 68 is shown, where the side walls 72 are parallel to each other. This alternative construction differs from that shown in FIGURE 11 because the side walls 72 are sufficiently close to or in contact with the recesses 82 so that the clamp portion 80 can be welded to the side walls in the recesses, with this additionally adding strength to the connection between the sleeve 78 and the arm 68. Of courseThose skilled in the art, upon careful consideration of the above description of representative embodiments of the invention, will readily appreciate that many modifications, additions, substitutions, omissions and other changes can be made to these specific embodiments, and such changes should be contemplated in the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, the above detailed description should be clearly understood as being provided by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

NOVELTY UK THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore what is described in the following claims is claimed as property. CLAIMS 1. A vehicle suspension system, characterized in that it comprises: an ej e; a sleeve attached to the shaft without pressure adjustment, the sleeve is welded in its clamped position; and an arm fixed to the shaft welding it directly to the sleeve. The suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that the arm includes a generally U-shaped portion having opposite side walls, and a plate extending between the side walls and welded to each of the side walls, the plate is also welded to the sleeve. The suspension system according to claim 2, characterized in that the sleeve includes a clamp portion extending generally radially outward, and wherein the plate is welded to the clamp portion. 4. The suspension system according to claim 6, wherein the suspension is welded into its clamped position by means of a weld extending between the structural members of a clamp portion that it extends generally and radially out of the sleeve. The suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve is welded to the shaft in at least one opening formed laterally through the sleeve. The suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve is welded to the arm in openings formed through the opposite lateral walls of the arm. The suspension system according to claim 6, characterized in that the side walls are welded to the sleeve less than 360 degrees around the sleeve. The suspension system according to claim 6, characterized in that the openings in the side walls extend less than 360 degrees around the sleeve. 9. The suspension system according to claim 8, characterized in that each of the side walls includes a space that extends between the respective side wall opening and the perimeter edge of the side wall, and ~ err-a portion thereof. of cuff clamp is received in each of the spaces. The suspension system according to claim 9, characterized in that the arm includes at least one plate welded to and extending between each of the side walls, and wherein the plate is welded to the clamp portion extending outwardly. from the space in each side wall. The suspension system according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a damper fixed to the sleeve. The suspension system according to claim 11, characterized in that the shock absorber is fixed to the sleeve by means of a bracket welded directly to the sleeve. The suspension system according to claim 11, characterized in that the bracket is welded to the sleeve without being welded to the arm. The suspension system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sleeve extends more than 180 degrees about the axis. 15. A vehicle suspension system, characterized in that it comprises: a sleeve fastened to the axle; and an arm having opposite side walls, each of the side walls has an opening formed therethrough, the sleeve is received in each of the openings, and the sleeve is welded to the arm less than 360 degrees around a periphery of each of the openings. The suspension system according to claim 15, characterized in that the sleeve is secured to the shaft in a manner that produces a compression stress between the sleeve and the shaft. 17. The suspension system according to claim 16, further characterized in that it comprises at least one fastener in a clamp portion of the sleeve, the compression tension occurs when the fastener is tightened. The suspension system according to claim 17, characterized in that the clamp portion extends in a space formed in each of the side walls between the respective opening and the peripheral edge of the side wall. 19. The suspension system according to claim 18, characterized in that the arm also includes at least one plate fixed to and extending on the third side-walls.; 3rd plate. S¾ sxrelrdH- to the cuff. The suspension system according to claim 19, characterized in that the plate is welded to the clamp portion of the sleeve. The suspension system according to claim 20, characterized in that the plate is welded to the clamp portion extending outward from the space in each side wall. 22. The suspension system according to claim 15, characterized in that the sleeve extends more than 180 degrees about the axis. 23. A method for manufacturing a vehicle suspension system, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: fastening a sleeve to an axle without adjusting pressure; solder the sleeve, with this holding the sleeve in its clamped position; and welding the sleeve to each of the opposite side walls of an arm, the sleeve is welded less than 360 degrees around an opening formed through each of the side walls. 24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the step of welding the sleeve-in-its-bearing-suj etada actemcrs c ~ ompue rende mutually weld the members of a clamp portion of the sleeve. 25. The method according to claim 24, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding the clamp portion into at least one plate of an arm extending between and attached to each of the side walls. 26. The method according to claim 25, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of welding the plate to the side walls after the step of welding the sleeve to the side walls. The method according to claim 25, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding the plate to the side walls before the step of welding the sleeve to the side walls. 28. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the passage of its etar also comprises tightening at least one its stator in the clamp portion of the sleeve. 29. The method according to claim 28, further characterized in that it comprises the step of removing the clamp from the clamp portion after the step of welding the sleeve in its clamped position and before the clamp is soldered. - to the side walls. 30. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that in the clamping step, the sleeve extends more than 180 degrees about the axis. 31. A method for manufacturing a vehicle suspension system, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: fastening a sleeve to an axle without adjustment under pressure, thereby removing the clearance between the sleeve and the axle, and applying a tension of compression between the sleeve and the shaft; weld the sleeve to the shaft; and welding the opposite side walls of an arm to the sleeve. 32. The method according to claim 31, further characterized in that it comprises the step of retaining the compression tension between the sleeve and the shaft by welding the sleeve members together. 33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that in the step of retaining the sleeve members are included in a clamp portion of the sleeve 3 ~ ¾ ~ The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the step further fastening comprises tightening the fastener on the members of the clamp portion. 35. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the step of welding the side walls to the sleeve further comprises welding the side walls to the clamp portion of the sleeve. 36. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that in the step of welding the side walls to the sleeve, the clamp portion is at least partially placed between the side walls. 37. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that in the step of welding the side walls to the sleeve, the clamp portion extends in a space formed between each of the respective openings and a peripheral edge of the side wall. 38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that in the step of welding the side walls to the sleeve, the clamp portion extends outwardly beyond the peripheral edges of the side wall. 39. ?? cte c5nf ~ ormidad method with claim 31, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding a mounting bracket for shock absorber in the sleeve, without welding the mounting bracket to the arm. 40. The method according to claim 31, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding a plate to the sleeve, the plate extends between the side walls. 41. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that the step of welding the plate to the sleeve further comprises welding the plate to a clamp portion of the sleeve. 42. The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding the plate to each of the side walls before the step of welding the plate to the sleeve. 43. The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding the plate to each of the side walls after the step of welding the plate to the sleeve. 44. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that in the clamping step, the sleeve extends beyond 180 degrees around the e ~ e ^ 45. A vehicle suspension system, characterized in that it comprises: an axle; a sleeve secured to the shaft by a clamp portion of the sleeve, the sleeve is welded in its clamped position; and an arm fixed to the shaft by welding it to the sleeve. 46. The suspension system according to claim 45, characterized in that the sleeve is welded in its clamped position before the sleeve is welded to the shaft. 47. The suspension system according to claim 45, characterized in that the arm includes a generally U-shaped portion having opposite side walls, and a plate extending between the side walls and being welded to each of the walls side, the plate is also welded to the sleeve. 48. The suspension system according to claim 47, characterized in that the plate is welded to the clamp portion of the sleeve. 49. The suspension system according to claim 45, characterized in that the sleeve is welded in its clamped position by means of a weld that extends between the structural-members-of-the clamp portion of the sleeve. 50. The suspension system according to claim 45, characterized in that the sleeve is welded to the shaft in at least one opening formed laterally through the sleeve. 51. The suspension system according to claim 45, characterized in that the sleeve is welded to the arm in openings formed through opposite lateral walls of the arm. 52. The suspension system according to claim 51, characterized in that the side walls are welded to the sleeve less than 360 degrees around the sleeve. 53. The suspension system according to claim 51, characterized in that the openings in the side walls extend less than 360 degrees around the sleeve. 54. The suspension system according to claim 53, characterized in that each of the side walls includes a space extending between the respective side wall opening and the peripheral edge of the side wall, and wherein the clamp portion of the cuff is received in each of the spaces. 55. The onform suspension system da-d-with claim 54, characterized in that the arm includes at least one plate welded to each of the side walls and extending between each of the side walls, and wherein the plate is welds the clamp portion that extends outward from the space in each side wall. 56. The suspension system according to claim 45, further characterized in that it comprises a shock absorber attached to the sleeve. 57. The suspension system according to claim 56, characterized in that the damper is fixed to the sleeve by means of a bracket welded directly to the sleeve. 58. The suspension system according to claim 56, characterized in that the bracket is welded to the sleeve without being welded to the arm. 59. The suspension system according to claim 45, characterized in that the sleeve extends more than 180 degrees about the axis. 60. A method for manufacturing a vehicle suspension system, the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: fastening a sleeve to an axle, thereby removing the clearance between the sleeve and the axle, and applying a compression tension. euLre-e-sleeve-and-shaft; then to weld the sleeve to the shaft; and welding the opposite side walls of an arm to the sleeve. 61. The method according to claim 60, further characterized in that it comprises the step of retaining the compression tension between the sleeve and the shaft by welding the sleeve members together. 62. The method according to claim 61, characterized in that the step of retaining the compression tension is carried out before the step of welding the sleeve to the shaft. 63. The method according to claim 61, characterized in that in the step of retaining the sleeve members are included in a clamp portion of the sleeve. 64. The method according to claim 63, characterized in that the step of fastening further comprises tightening a fastener in a member of the clamp portion. 65. The method according to claim 63, characterized in that the step of welding the side walls to the sleeve further comprises welding the side-walls to IB-orientation - < de-ab a £ade £ ¾-of the sleeve. The method according to claim 63, characterized in that in the step of welding the side walls to the sleeve, the clamp portion is placed at least partially between the side walls 67. The method according to claim 63, characterized in that the step of welding the side walls to the sleeve, the clamp portion extends in a space formed between each of the respective openings and a peripheral edge of the side wall 68. The method according to claim 67, characterized in that in the step of welding the side walls to the sleeve the clamp portion extends outwardly beyond the sidewall pezipheral edges. The method according to claim 60, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding a shock absorber mounting bracket to the sleeve, without welding the mounting bracket to the arm. 70. The method according to claim 60, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding a plate to the sleeve, the plate is "extended between the side walls 71. The method according to claim 70, characterized in that the step of welding the plate to the sleeve further comprises welding the plate to a clamp portion of the sleeve 72. The method according to claim 70, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding the plate to each of the side walls before the step of welding the plate to the sleeve 73. The method according to claim 70, further characterized in that it comprises the step of welding the plate to each of the side walls after the step of welding the plate to the sleeve. with claim 60, characterized in that in the clamping step, the sleeve extends more than 180 degrees about the axis 75. The method of compliance with the to claim 60, characterized in that the step of fastening a sleeve to the shaft is performed without press fitting a sleeve on the shaft. RliS UMKM L) IN THE VEHICLE A vehicle suspension system (10) includes features that reduce the tension in an axle connection. In a described embodiment, a vehicle suspension system (10) includes a sleeve (48) that is clamped on an axle (12). The sleeve (48) is retained in its clamped and welded position to the opposite side walls (22) of an arm (14). A lower plate (24) of the arm (14) can also be welded to the sleeve (48).