Axle lift mechanism with spring cup wear plate

In an axle lift mechanism for use in a vehicle having a support frame and an axle-bearing suspension means supporting the frame and movable between load-bearing and nonload-bearing relationships with the vehicle, wherein the lift mechanism comprises:

• toggle linkage means adapted to be pivotably coupled to the frame and to the suspension means for movement of the axle between first and second positions corresponding to load-bearing and nonload-bearing positions, respectively;
• a spring housing adapted to be mounted to the frame and having a spring retainer at one end thereof;
• a spring cup having a spring-receiving means and mounted in another end of said housing;
• a coil spring biasing means mounted in said housing, one end of said coil spring biasing means bearing against said housing spring retainer and another end of said coil spring biasing means being received in said spring cup spring-receiving means;
• and
• said toggle linkage means extends in part through said coil spring biasing means and is coupled to said spring cup whereby said coil spring biasing means biases said toggle linkage means to said second position;
• the improvement which comprises:
• a wear plate positioned between said spring cup and said housing to avoid wear on the spring cup.