Patent ID: 6176501
Filing Date: 2001-01-23
Classification: B60G,B62D

Abstract:
In an independent front suspension including a knuckle assembly pivotally supported by upper and lower control arms, the upper and lower control arms pivotally connected to a vehicle frame assembly, one of the control arms having two mounting cylinders, each of the mounting cylinders located between mounting brackets extending from the vehicle frame assembly and, wherein, holes are provided on the mounting brackets aligned with the mounting cylinders therebetween, bolts extending through each of the mounting cylinders and the bracket holes at the cylinder longitudinal ends thereby pivotally attaching each of the mounting cylinders between the respective mounting brackets, an alignment device comprising:an eccentric boss located at each of the mounting bracket holes at the longitudinal ends of one of the control arm mounting cylinders, the boss comprising a circular portion having a longitudinal axis and an outside diameter smaller than the bracket hole and at least partially received therein;a bolt hole extending through said circular portion and having a longitudinal axis offset from said circular portion longitudinal axis;said boss further including an adapter plate adjacent said circular portion extending radially beyond the circular portion outside diameter and radially beyond the bracket holes;a rotational adjustment portion adjacent said adapter plate having a tool contact surface whereat a tool may be selectively placed for rotating said boss about said circular portion longitudinal axis;wherein said adapter plate has a generally circular outside surface and a longitudinal axis which is collinear with said circular portion longitudinal axis;wherein said rotational adjustment portion includes a plurality of tool contact surfaces circumscribing a rotational adjustment portion longitudinal axis and forming a nut; and,wherein said rotational adjustment portion longitudinal axis is collinear with said bolt hole longitudinal axis.