Wishbone-shaped linkage and modular bushing assembly and suspension systems incorporating the same

A vehicle suspension system comprising:

• a laterally extending axle;
• a linkage comprising a laterally extending cross tube and a body including upper and lower plates only partially wrapping around the cross tube, without fully encircling any portion of the cross tube;
• a laterally extending bushing assembly including
• a bushing at least partially received by the cross tube of the linkage, and
• a bar pin received by the bushing and including first and second ends positioned on opposite lateral sides of the bushing;
• and
• a mounting assembly associating the linkage to the axle and including
• a first mount block associated with the first end of the bar pin,
• a second mount block associated with the second end of the bar pin, and
• first and second mechanical fasteners, wherein
• each end of the bar pin defines a longitudinally extending bore, with the longitudinally extending bore of the first end of the bar pin receiving a first portion of the first mechanical fastener, and with the longitudinally extending bore of the second end of the bar pin receiving a first portion of the second mechanical fastener,
• each mount block defines a longitudinally extending bore, with the longitudinally extending bore of the first mount block aligned with the longitudinally extending bore of the first end of the bar pin and receiving a second portion of the first mechanical fastener, and with the longitudinally extending bore of the second mount block aligned with the longitudinally extending bore of the second end of the bar pin and receiving a second portion of the second mechanical fastener, and
• the axle defines first and second openings, with the first opening being aligned with the longitudinally extending bores of the first end of the bar pin and the first mount block and receiving a third portion of the first mechanical fastener, and with the second opening being aligned with the longitudinally extending bores of the second end of the bar pin and the second mount block and receiving a third portion of the second mechanical fastener.

A linkage for use in a vehicle suspension system, the linkage comprising:

• a laterally extending cross tube configured to receive a bushing assembly;
• and
• a body including
• upper and lower plates only partially wrapping around the cross tube, without fully encircling any portion of the cross tube, and
• a plurality of side plates extending from the upper plate to the lower plate, wherein
• the upper plate defines a perimeter, and
• each of the side plates extends along a different portion of the perimeter and is inset with respect to the associated portion of the perimeter.