A steering system includes an arm, a knuckle, a joint, and a steering sensor. The arm defines a first passage. The knuckle has a knuckle arm defining a second passage. The joint has a ball portion and a shaft portion extending. The ball portion is disposed within the first passage and the shaft portion is disposed within the second passage. The ball portion defines a conical recess that has an opening at an upper end of the ball portion and terminates inside the ball portion with a pocket. The steering sensor has a driveshaft extending along a longitudinal axis into the conical recess. The driveshaft includes a head that engages with the pocket. The ball portion is configured to pivot within the first passage relative to the longitudinal axis and the head. The joint and the driveshaft are configured to rotate together about the longitudinal axis as the knuckle is turned.

A steering system includes an arm, a knuckle, a joint, and a steering sensor. The arm defines a first passage. The knuckle has a knuckle arm defining a second passage. The joint has a ball portion and a shaft portion extending. The ball portion is disposed within the first passage and the shaft portion is disposed within the second passage. The ball portion defines a conical recess that has an opening at an upper end of the ball portion and terminates inside the ball portion with a pocket. The steering sensor has a driveshaft extending along a longitudinal axis into the conical recess. The driveshaft includes a head that engages with the pocket. The ball portion is configured to pivot within the first passage relative to the longitudinal axis and the head. The joint and the driveshaft are configured to rotate together about the longitudinal axis as the knuckle is turned.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

Disclosed is a steering system comprising a housing, a steering rack which is movably arranged and extends out, of a housing end section of the housing on at least one side of the housing with a steering rack end portion, at least one tie rod attached to the steering rack with a ball joint, at least one bellows covering the steering rack end portion of the steering rack, the ball joint and a section of the tie rod adjacent to the ball joint, the bellows having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the housing end section and the second end being attached to the tie rod at a tie rod attachment section, wherein a rolling diaphragm is arranged inside of the bellows, wherein a first end of the rolling diaphragm is attached to the housing end section and a second end of the rolling diaphragm is attached to the ball joint or the steering rack end portion, and wherein a rolling bend of the rolling diaphragm is movable between the housing and the second end of the bellows.

One aspect of this disclosure is directed to a Steering system comprising a housing in inch a steering rack is movably arranged and extends out of the housing on at least one side of the housing with a steering rack end portion. The steering rack being connected to a tie rod with a ball joint. At least the sections of the steering rack extending outside of the housing and the ball joint are covered by at least a protective bellows defining a central axis and the bellows further comprising a first bellows end defining a first bellows opening around the central axis and a second bellows end defining a second bellows opening around the central axis. The bellows is arranged inside a puncture resistant cover. The cover comprises a first cover end defining a first cover opening around the central axis and a second cover end defining a second cover opening around the central axis. At least one of the cover ends comprises at least one loop at least partially extending around the least one cover end and in which loop a clamp to fasten the cover end is arranged. The first bellows end and the second bellows end are arranged between the first cover end and the second end. Another aspect of this disclosure is directed to a puncture resistant cover with an elongated tubular shape along a central axis. The cover comprises a first cover end defining a first cover opening around the central axis and a second cover end defining a second cover opening around the central axis. At least one of the cover ends comprises at least one loop at least partially extending around the least one cover end and in which loop a clamp to fasten the cover end is arranged.

Power assisted steering systems provide a gear reduction of approximately 25:1 between a steering wheel and a steering mechanism and approximately 625:1 between an electric motor and a steering mechanism. The system is back-driveable from the steering mechanism. In one embodiment, the gear reduction is provided primarily by three planetary gear sets, with the remainder provided by axis transfer gearing. In another embodiment, the gear reduction is provided primarily by a cycloidal gear set, with the remainder provided by axis transfer gearing.

Power assisted steering systems provide a gear reduction of approximately 25:1 between a steering wheel and a steering mechanism and approximately 625:1 between an electric motor and a steering mechanism. The system is back-driveable from the steering mechanism. In one embodiment, the gear reduction is provided primarily by three planetary gear sets, with the remainder provided by axis transfer gearing. In another embodiment, the gear reduction is provided primarily by a cycloidal gear set, with the remainder provided by axis transfer gearing.

A steering device includes a rack shaft that turns wheels, a bush slidably support the rack shaft, tie-rods joined to the rack shaft, boots that cover a joining portion that joins the rack shaft and the tie-rod. A protrusion part is formed on either one of the bush and a rack housing so as to protrude toward the other. A restriction groove into which the protrusion part is inserted is formed on the other. A space inside the first boot and a space inside the second boot constantly communicate with each other via the restriction groove.

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.