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A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels includes a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end a second end, and a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection defining a pivot axis, wherein the frame

A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels includes a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end a second end, and a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection defining a pivot axis, wherein the frame bracket assemblies are operably coupled to opposite sides of the frame bracket, and wherein the resiliently-bushed pivotable connection comprises a substantially cylindrically-shaped bushing. The suspension system also includes a pair of trailing arms each comprising a first end operably coupled to the first end and the second end of the axle, respectively, and a second end comprising an aperture that receives the bushing of one of the frame bracket assemblies therein, wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is nonsymmetrical, thereby causing a nonsymmetrical compression of the bushing about the pivot axis. The suspension system also includes embodiments wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is nonuniform, thereby reducing rotation of the bushing with respect to the trailing arm, wherein a mating surface of each trailing arm operably coupled to the first and second end of the axle comprise a cavity, thereby reducing a localized stress transferred from the trailing arm to the axle, wherein the second end of each trailing arm further comprises a lip extending radially outward from the aperture and at least one engagement surface extending radially outward from the lip and adapted to abut a bushing-removal tool, as well as other improvements.

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The invention claimed is: 1. A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels, comprising: a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end and a second end; a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection defini

The invention claimed is: 1. A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels, comprising: a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end and a second end; a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection defining a pivot axis, the frame bracket assemblies operably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle frame, the resiliently-bushed pivotable connection comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bushing; and a pair of trailing arms each comprising a first end operably coupled to the first end and the second end of the axle, respectively, and a second end comprising an aperture that receives the bushing of one of the frame bracket assemblies therein, wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is oval-shaped, thereby causing a nonsymmetrical compression of the bushing about the pivot axis. 2. The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is symmetrical with respect to a substantially horizontal plane. 3. The suspension system of claim 2, wherein the aperture is oriented so as to apply a greater compression in a substantially horizontal direction than in a substantially vertical direction. 4. A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels, comprising: a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end and a second end; a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection, the frame bracket assemblies operably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle frame, the resiliently-bushed pivotable connection comprising an elastically deformable bushing; and a pair of trailing arms each comprising a first end operably coupled to the first end and the second end of the axle, respectively, and a second end comprising an aperture that receives the bushing of one of the frame bracket assemblies therein, the aperture defining an inner surface, wherein the inner surface is roughed. 5. The suspension system of claim 4, wherein the inner surface comprises a plurality of teeth. 6. A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels, comprising: a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end and a second end; a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection defining a pivot axis, the frame bracket assemblies operably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle frame, the resiliently-bushed pivotable connection comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bushing; and a pair of trailing arms each comprising a first end operably coupled to the first end and the second end of the axle, respectively, and a second end comprising an aperture that receives the bushing of one of the frame bracket assemblies therein, the second end of each trailing arm further comprising a lip extending radially outward from the aperture and at least one engagement surface extending radially outward from the lip and adapted to abut a bushing-removal tool. 7. The suspension system of claim 6, wherein each trailing arm comprises a single-cast piece. 8. The suspension system of claim 6, wherein the at least one engagement surface includes a first pair of engagement surfaces, and a second pair of engagement surfaces, wherein the first pair of engagement surfaces extending radially outward in a direction substantially towards the first end of the trailing arm, and wherein the second pair of engagement surfaces extend radially outward in a direction substantially away from the first end of the trailing arm. 9. The suspension system of claim 6, wherein each of the engagement surfaces includes an aperture extending therethrough. 10. A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels, comprising: a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end and a second end; a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection defining a pivot axis, the frame bracket assemblies operably coupled to opposite sides of the vehicle frame, the resiliently-bushed pivotable connection comprising a substantially cylindrically shaped bushing; and a pair of trailing arms each comprising a first end operably coupled to the first end and the second end of the axle, respectively, and a second end comprising an aperture that receives the bushing of one of the frame bracket assemblies therein, the second end of each trailing arm further comprising a cantilevered lip extending radially outward from the aperture wherein each trailing arm comprises a single-cast piece. 11. The suspension system of claim 10, wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is nonsymmetrical, thereby causing a nonsymmetrical compression of the bushing about the pivot axis. 12. The suspension system of claim 11, wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is parabolically shaped. 13. The suspension system of claim 12, wherein the aperture is oriented so as to apply a greater compression in a substantially horizontal direction than in a substantially vertical direction. 14. The suspension assembly of claim 11, wherein the aperture of the second end defines a nonuniform inner surface, thereby reducing rotation of the bushing with respect to the trailing arm. 15. The suspension system of claim 14, wherein the inner surface is roughed. 16. The suspension system of claim 15, wherein the inner surface comprises a plurality of teeth. 17. The suspension system of claim 14, wherein the second end of each trailing arm comprises a first thickness across a width thereof and a second thickness located proximate the frame bracket that is less than the first thickness. 18. The suspension system of claim 17, wherein the first end of each trailing arm comprises a mating surface operably coupled to the first and second ends of the axle, and wherein the mating surface of the first end of each of the trailing arms comprises a cavity, thereby reducing a localized stress transferred from the trailing arms to the axle. 19. The suspension system of claim 18, wherein each trailing arm further comprises a lip extending radially outward from the lip and is adapted to abut a bushing-removal tool.