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 flexible joint for attachment to a suspension link. The flexible joint includes a housing. The housing includes an external surface and an internal surface. The flexible joint also includes a flexible joint insert. The flexible joint insert includes an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve includes a channel, where the channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an external device, and an external surface. The flexible joint insert also includes an inner elastomer. The inner elastomer is fused to at least a portion of the external surface of the inner sleeve. The flexible joint insert further includes an outer elastomer. The outer elastomer is harder than the inner elastomer. An interface between the inner elastomer and the outer elastomer is fused and a portion of the outer elastomer is in contact with the internal surface of the housing. The outer elastomer is not permanently attached to the housing.

Multi-link suspension systems for vehicle are described having various linkage arms that connect to distinct points of a wheel mount. Each of the linkage arms are preferably coupled to the wheel mount via a spherical ball joint and mounted such that they can independently move with respect to the other linkage arms. A shock assembly is preferably mounted between two of the linkage arms on a separate links that is configured to vary its length based on movement of one or both of the two linkage arms.

A vehicle suspension device includes a wheel body on which a wheel and tire unit is mounted, a steering drive unit configured to transmit a driving force to rotate the wheel body in a lateral direction of a vehicle body, so that the wheel and tire unit rotates together with the wheel body, and a wheel moving unit disposed on the vehicle body to be movable in a front-back direction, configured such that a position thereof changes in a top-bottom direction, and connected to the wheel body to support the wheel body, so that a position of the wheel body is changed in response to the wheel moving unit moving in the front-back direction and changing the position in the top-bottom direction.

Adjustable vehicle suspension link systems suitable for connecting a first component to a second component in a vehicle suspension may include an outer assembly. An outer assembly connecting joint may be provided on the outer assembly. The outer assembly connecting joint may be configured for coupling to the first component of the vehicle suspension. An inner assembly may be disposed at least partially inside and in length-adjustable and securable relationship to the outer assembly. An inner assembly connecting joint may be provided on the inner assembly. The inner assembly connecting joint may be configured for coupling to the second component of the vehicle suspension. Adjustable vehicle suspension link methods are also disclosed.

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 wheel suspension for a vehicle includes: a steering knuckle support; a steering knuckle mounted at the steering knuckle support so as to be swivelable around a steering axis; a vehicle wheel mounted at the steering knuckle so as to be rotatable around a wheel rotational axis; and a plurality of links by which the steering knuckle support is articulated at a vehicle frame such that the steering knuckle support is movable in a vertical direction (z) of the vehicle relative to the vehicle frame. A first one of the links is configured as a first control arm configured as a four-bar link, and a second one of the links is configured as a second control arm arranged offset relative to the first link in the vertical direction (z) of the vehicle, and wherein the second link is configured as a two-bar link that is adjustable in length.

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.

Embodiments relate to an off-road vehicle comprising a frame, including at least one cargo box support member, a suspension movably coupled to the frame, a passenger compartment, an engine, a transmission operatively coupled to the engine, and a cargo box. The cargo box includes a floor and a plurality of upwardly extending sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of the cargo box floor extends over the at least one cargo box support member and wherein the cargo box is removably coupled to the at least one cargo box support members and is removable from the off-road vehicle via the removal of fewer than eight fasteners.