The present invention provides embodiments of modified upper and lower control arms for attachment to the steering knuckle that came with the vehicle, or for attachment to a modified steering knuckle of an embodiment of the invention, such that the steering knuckle, and in particular the wheel hub opening of the steering knuckle, are located at positions that are closer to the front of the vehicle than the positions provided by the control arms that came with the vehicle. The forward position of the wheel hub relative to the position provided by the factory or stock control arms moves the wheel and tire forward by the same distance, thereby allowing much larger wheels and tires to be mounted on the vehicle which do not rub against or interfere with the wheel well, fender or body mount, thereby increasing the approach angle of the vehicle for use in off-road climbing.

An attachment interface is provided for connecting a vehicle composite component having a plate portion that is made of a fiber reinforced polymer and has a passage extending in a through manner along an axis. The attachment interface provides a metal attachment device, which includes an inner portion engaging the passage and an outer portion defining a connection point suitable to be connected to another vehicle element. The plate portion is axially sandwiched between two layers made of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material selected from the group consisting of BMC (Bulk Molding Compound), LFT (Long Fiber Thermoplastic) and DLFT (Direct Long Fiber Thermoplastic).

An attachment interface is provided for connecting a vehicle composite component having a plate portion that is made of a fiber reinforced polymer and has a passage extending in a through manner along an axis. The attachment interface provides a metal attachment device, which includes an inner portion engaging the passage and an outer portion defining a connection point suitable to be connected to another vehicle element. The plate portion is axially sandwiched between two layers made of a fiber reinforced polymer composite material selected from the group consisting of BMC (Bulk Molding Compound), LFT (Long Fiber Thermoplastic) and DLFT (Direct Long Fiber Thermoplastic).

A wheel drive assembly for transferring propelling torque from a source shaft to a wheel, the source shaft receiving torque from a motion actuator. The wheel drive assembly includes a wheel-hub, adapted to have the wheel mounted thereon, the wheel-hub being arranged about a longitudinal axis, which is adapted to coincide with a rotation axis of the wheel. The wheel drive assembly further includes a drive axle and a constant velocity (CV) joint mounted onto an outer end of the drive axle. The CV joint connects the drive axle to the wheel-hub. An outermost surface of the CV joint is disposed outwardly of an outermost surface of the wheel hub, along the longitudinal axis of the wheel-hub.

A wheel drive assembly for transferring propelling torque from a source shaft to a wheel, the source shaft receiving torque from a motion actuator. The wheel drive assembly includes a wheel-hub, adapted to have the wheel mounted thereon, the wheel-hub being arranged about a longitudinal axis, which is adapted to coincide with a rotation axis of the wheel. The wheel drive assembly further includes a drive axle and a constant velocity (CV) joint mounted onto an outer end of the drive axle. The CV joint connects the drive axle to the wheel-hub. An outermost surface of the CV joint is disposed outwardly of an outermost surface of the wheel hub, along the longitudinal axis of the wheel-hub.

A wheel module (10) for a motor vehicle includes a wheel (12) and a wheel guide (14) for guiding the wheel (12). The wheel guide (14) includes a wheel carrier unit (16) for supporting the wheel (12); a wheel fork (24) supporting the wheel carrier unit (16); a steering actuator (18) for adjusting the steering angle of the wheel (12); a spring-damper unit (28); and a level adjustment unit (36) for adjusting the height of the vehicle body (32) of the motor vehicle. The spring-damper unit (28) is arranged in a region of the wheel guide (14) between the wheel fork (24) and the wheel carrier unit (16).

A wheel module (10) for a motor vehicle includes a wheel (12) and a wheel guide (14) for guiding the wheel (12). The wheel guide (14) includes a wheel carrier unit (16) for supporting the wheel (12); a wheel fork (24) supporting the wheel carrier unit (16); a steering actuator (18) for adjusting the steering angle of the wheel (12); a spring-damper unit (28); and a level adjustment unit (36) for adjusting the height of the vehicle body (32) of the motor vehicle. The spring-damper unit (28) is arranged in a region of the wheel guide (14) between the wheel fork (24) and the wheel carrier unit (16).

A brake hose support structure of a vehicle includes a brake hose through which pressure fluid is flowed between a pressure source mounted to the vehicle and a brake caliper of a disk brake device of the vehicle, and a hose support supporting the brake hose. The brake hose has a first end that is located adjacent to the pressure source, a second end that is located adjacent to the brake caliper, and a supporting portion that is disposed between the first and second ends. The hose support supports the brake hose at the supporting portion such that an axis of the brake hose extends parallel to a kingpin axis.

A brake hose support structure of a vehicle includes a brake hose through which pressure fluid is flowed between a pressure source mounted to the vehicle and a brake caliper of a disk brake device of the vehicle, and a hose support supporting the brake hose. The brake hose has a first end that is located adjacent to the pressure source, a second end that is located adjacent to the brake caliper, and a supporting portion that is disposed between the first and second ends. The hose support supports the brake hose at the supporting portion such that an axis of the brake hose extends parallel to a kingpin axis.

Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.