Systems and methods for controlling a vehicle including a friction control device are provided. A method of controlling the vehicle includes operating at least one friction control device in a first of a plurality of friction modes, detecting a vehicular speed, changing operation of the at least one friction control device from the first friction mode to a second of the plurality of friction modes in response to the vehicular speed exceeding a first threshold speed value, and changing operation of the at least one friction control device from the second friction mode to the first friction mode in response to the vehicular speed falling below a second threshold speed value that is less than the first threshold speed value. The second friction mode is associated with a higher level of resistance than the first friction mode.

A vehicle has a frame, seats, front and rear suspension assemblies, front and rear wheels, a motor, a rear differential, left and right constant velocity joints operatively connected to the rear differential; and left and right half-shaft operatively connecting the constant velocity joints to the rear wheels. Each of the rear suspension assemblies has: a trailing arm having a front end pivotally connected to the frame; a knuckle pivotally connected to a rear portion of the trailing arm; lower and upper links pivotally connected between the trailing arm and the frame; and a toe link pivotally connected between the knuckle and the frame. Each of the rear suspension assemblies has an instant center axis passing through a connection between the trailing arm and the frame. Centers of the velocity joints are laterally outward of their corresponding instant center axes when viewed in a top plan view of the vehicle.

A linking arm assembly adapted to receive and retain a ball stud. The assembly includes an elongated rod structure and a socket head and is variable over a range of lengths by adjustment of the relative position of the elongated rod structure and the socket head. Linking arm assemblies consistent with the present disclosure may be adjusted for use in different applications while using common components.

Provided is a trailing arm riding mower suspension system that includes trailing arms adapted to support hydraulic motor units and having leading ends pivotally coupled to a mower frame by way of leading end spherical joints and trailing ends having hydraulic drive unit mounts, where the trailing arms are adapted to pivot about leading end pivot locations defined by the leading end spherical joints.

A device for adjusting camber and/or toe of a vehicle wheel includes a multi-part wheel carrier having a wheel-side carrier part, an axle-side guide part, and an adjusting member, in particular two rotary parts, arranged there between, by which the carrier part is swingable about a wobble point for toe and/or camber adjustment of the vehicle wheel. A bearing point is formed radially outside of the adjusting member, on which the carrier part and the guide part are articulated to one another. The bearing point is designed in a firm manner in the wheel-axle circumferential direction for support of the carrier part which is subjected to a brake torque, and is designed in a soft manner to realize a trouble-free adjustment and, compared with the wheel-axle circumferential direction, a particularly smooth adjustment of the carrier part about the toe and/or camber angle in the vehicle transverse direction.

Steering suspension module including a shock absorber strut, a suspension upright, an outer ring of a wheel hub unit attached integrally to a front face of the suspension upright, and a ball joint for articulation with a control arm; wherein the suspension strut consists of a cup-shaped body made entirely of continuous, sheared and bent metal sheet, and the outer ring is provided integral in one piece with, and radially cantilevered from, a steering arm extending transversely cantilevered from the cup-shaped body, on the side of the cup-shaped body; the shock absorber strut is constrained within a first seat of the cup-shaped body and the ball joint is made as an independent unit constrained integrally with a second seat of the cup-shaped body in a position facing the first seat, the ball joint projecting inferiorly cantilevered from the cup-shaped body.

An automotive component having an opening through which a ball joint extends, the ball joint comprising: a housing having an exterior substantially cylindrical surface, a seating surface radially extending from the exterior surface for abutting an adjacent first side of the automotive component, and a peripheral groove disposed in the exterior surface spaced axially from the seating surface a predetermined distance; a ball stud having a ball end mounted within the housing and a shank extending axially out of a crown of the housing; a flexible boot having an distal end sealingly engaged on the shank and an opposing proximal base end, the base end including a metal base ring with an inwardly extending flexible detent engaged in the peripheral groove in the housing and a base seal sealing engaged on the exterior surface, the base ring having a radially extending abutment surface for retaining an adjacent second side of the automotive component, and wherein the automotive component is selected from the group consisting of: a control arm; a stabilizer link; a stabilizer bar; and a steering linkage.

A mechanical component for a vehicle, having a measurement region with a surface, and a force sensor is associated with the measurement region for detecting a force to which the component is exposed. The force sensor includes a layer of carbon nanotubes applied to the surface of the measurement region.

A ball joint dust cover is provided. The ball joint dust cover is made of a rubbery elastic material and is provided with a small diameter opening part with which a hard ring is formed. The hard ring is sandwiched by a retainer having a three-sided box shape. The retainer includes a plurality of gaskets contacting the hard ring.

The invention provides an axle for wheels of a two-track motor vehicle. The axle has, on each vehicle side, a wheel carrier, a damper strut, a transverse link and a transverse leaf spring which controls the wheel at least partially laterally and/or in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The damper strut has a damper tube and a damper piston which can be moved in the damper tube along a damper longitudinal axis. The damper strut is attached by the damper tube to the wheel carrier. The transverse link is attached by a wheel-carrier-side end region to the wheel carrier. The transverse leaf spring extends substantially in the vehicle transverse direction and has at least one wheel-carrier-side end region. The transverse leaf spring is attached by the wheel-carrier-side end region thereof to the damper strut and is supported on the damper strut.