Apparatus and method for reducing shear loading on elements connecting an axle and a chassis of a vehicle

Apparatus mounting an axle to structural elements of a vehicle chassis, comprising:

• a plurality of connectors connecting the axle to the structural elements, at least one of the connectors extending between at least one of the structural element and the axle and being positioned and oriented so as to be subjected to a shear force;
• wedge surfaces on the axle and on at least one of the structural elements, respectively, disposed in opposing relation defining a space therebetween, the wedge surfaces being oriented at an acute angle one relative to the other and facing at least generally in a direction of the shear force;
• and
• a tapered block having oppositely facing outer surfaces oriented at about the acute angle one relative to the other, the tapered block being disposed in the space between the wedge surfaces and bearing thereagainst to apply a force against the structural element and the axle in a direction for counteracting the shear force.

Apparatus for mounting an axle housing to a chassis of a vehicle, comprising:

• pairs of mounting pads each including a pad on the axle housing and a pad on the chassis, positioned so as to be capable of being brought into abutment by tightening of fasteners for connecting the axle housing to the chassis in a predetermined mounting position in relation to the chassis, at least one of the pairs of mounting pads being oriented to extend in a first direction and at least one of the pairs of mounting pads being oriented to extend in a second direction angularly related to the first direction;
• fasteners tightenable for connecting the axle housing to the chassis and for bringing the pairs of mounting pads into abutment, respectively;
• a pair of wedge surfaces including a wedge surface on the axle housing and a wedge surface on the chassis, the wedge surfaces being positioned so as to extend in the second direction oriented at an acute angle one relative to the other in opposing relation defining a space therebetween when the axle housing is in the predetermined mounting position;
• a tapered block positionable in the space between the wedge surfaces and adjustably movable in the second direction relative thereto for applying a force thereagainst when the fastener are tightened for reducing any shear force acting against one or more of the tightened fasteners.

A method for mounting an axle to a chassis of a vehicle, comprising steps of:

• providing pairs of mounting pads each including a pad on the axle and a pad on the chassis, positioned so as to be capable of being brought into abutment by tightening of fasteners for connecting the axle to the chassis in a predetermined mounting position in relation to the chassis, at least one of the pairs of mounting pads being oriented to extend in a first direction and at least one of the pairs of mounting pads being oriented to extend in a second direction angularly related to the first direction;
• providing fasteners tightenable for connecting the axle to the chassis and for bringing the pairs of mounting pads into abutment, respectively;
• providing a pair of wedge surfaces including a wedge surface on the axle and a wedge surface on the chassis, the wedge surfaces being positioned so as to extend in the second direction and being oriented in an acute angle one relative to the other in opposing relation defining a space therebetween when the axle is in the predetermined mounting position;
• positioning the axle in the predetermined mounting position and tightening the fasteners to bring the pairs of mounting pads into abutment, respectively;
• and
• positioning a tapered block in the space between the wedge surfaces and driving the tapered block in the second direction against the wedge surfaces for applying a force thereagainst which is transmitted thereby to the axle and the chassis for reducing any shear force acting against one or more of the tightened fasteners.