An apparatus and a method are provided for an offset tie rod joint for vehicle steering systems. The offset tie rod joint comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing that is disposed in an opening of an offset housing. A threaded shank fixedly coupled with the offset housing is received by a steering rod. The opening is displaced from a longitudinal axis of the threaded shank by a distance that provides clearance between the offset housing and a spindle assembly during articulation of the spindle assembly during steering. A rear backstop and a front snap-ring in a groove retain the casing within the opening. A bore extending through the ball receives a bolt that fixates the ball between parallel prongs of the spindle assembly. A misalignment spacer on each side of the ball provides clearance for rotation of the ball within the offset housing.

An apparatus and a method are provided for an offset tie rod joint for vehicle steering systems. The offset tie rod joint comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing that is disposed in an opening of an offset housing. A threaded shank fixedly coupled with the offset housing is received by a steering rod. The opening is displaced from a longitudinal axis of the threaded shank by a distance that provides clearance between the offset housing and a spindle assembly during articulation of the spindle assembly during steering. A rear backstop and a front snap-ring in a groove retain the casing within the opening. A bore extending through the ball receives a bolt that fixates the ball between parallel prongs of the spindle assembly. A misalignment spacer on each side of the ball provides clearance for rotation of the ball within the offset housing.

A steering support rack assembly and method are disclosed. The steering support rack assembly includes a linear bearing with a sliding support shaft attached to a bracket at each end of the support shaft, where the brackets are also connected to a steering assembly and tie rods of a vehicle. A steering support rack assembly includes a pair of tie brackets with a support shaft assembly coupled between the tie brackets, such that the steering support rack assembly is configured to couple to a rack and pinion assembly and tie rod assemblies of a vehicle so that a shaft of the support shaft assembly moves in combination with the rack and pinion assembly to steer the vehicle with the tie rod assemblies and increase the strength and durability of the rack and pinion assembly.

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.

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.

A transverse link has an inboard side and an outboard side. A steering knuckle has an upper end, a wheel supporting section and a lower end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the outboard side of the transverse link. A strut has an upper end and a lower end. An upper knuckle breakaway structure attaches the upper end of the steering knuckle to the lower end of the strut. The upper knuckle breakaway structure has a frangible part that releases the upper end of the steering knuckle from the lower end of the strut upon application of a prescribed rearward directed force. A transverse link breakaway structure couples the inboard side of the transverse link to a lower suspension support structure such that upon application of the prescribed rearward directed force the inboard side of the transverse link is released from the lower suspension support structure.

A rack-and-pinion steering gear unit includes a rack shaft and a cylindrical portion. The rack shaft is configured as a hollow pipe as a whole by bending an elongated metal plate such that widthwise end edges of the metal plate are butted to each other. A cylindrical portion is fitted on an end portion of the rack shaft.

Methods and systems are provided for a steering system for a vehicle. In one example, the steering system may include a steering assembly with a first linkage assembly extending along a first direction between a vehicle steering wheel and a first wheel plate of the steering assembly. The steering system may also include a second linkage assembly with a sliding middle link extending along a second direction between the first wheel plate and a second wheel plate of the steering assembly.

Methods and systems are provided for a steering system for a vehicle. In one example, the steering system may include a steering assembly with a first linkage assembly extending along a first direction between a vehicle steering wheel and a first wheel plate of the steering assembly. The steering system may also include a second linkage assembly with a sliding middle link extending along a second direction between the first wheel plate and a second wheel plate of the steering assembly.

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.