A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

Rear lower control arm (5) for a motor vehicle including a top part (5t) and a bottom part (5b) defining together a hollow volume (5h), the top and bottom parts (5t, 5b) each including respectively a top and bottom first hole (17t, 17b) and a top and bottom second hole (19t, 19b), wherein the top and bottom parts (5t, 5b) are joined together by securing together at least part of said top and bottom horizontal surface outer peripheries (5tho, 5bho), at least part of the top and bottom first hole side walls outer peripheries (17tso, 17bso), at least part of said top and bottom second hole side walls outer peripheries (19tso, 19bso).

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.

A vehicle suspension system includes a suspension arm connected to a vehicle frame or body. A wheel is supported by the suspension arm and a shock absorber is connected between the vehicle frame or body and the suspension arm. The shock absorber includes a first mounting fitting having a first connecting structure, a second mounting fitting having a second connecting structure and a monolithic elastomeric body molded around the first connecting structure and the second connecting structure.

A modular chassis is provided for an off-road vehicle to improve assembly, servicing, and repairing of a drivetrain of the off-road vehicle. The modular chassis includes a chassis to support components of the off-road vehicle. A front frame module couples with a front of the chassis, and a rear frame module couples with a rear of the chassis. The front frame module supports lower suspension arms of the off-road vehicle by way of inboard bushing joints. The front frame module supports at least a steering gear and a front differential of the off-road vehicle. The rear frame module is a tube-frame structure that supports components of the off-road vehicle. A lower portion of the rear frame module extends rearward and acutely upward to a top frame member that couples with upper side portions of the chassis. Several cross-members impart structural integrity to the rear frame module.

A wheel suspension system is disclosed. The wheel suspension system may include a suspension assembly that may include a sub-frame adapted to be connected to a reference frame of a vehicle, a wheel interface adapted to rotatably support a wheel of the vehicle and to define a wheel rotation axis and a wheel rotation plane, and one or more linking units. Components of the linking unit(s) may be pivotally connected to each other, to sub-frame and to the wheel interface using pivoting connection that may cause components of the linking unit(s) to rotate about axes that are substantially perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis. The components of the linking unit(s) may be dimensioned, and positions of the pivoting connections may be set to cause a substantially linear motion of the wheel interface along a reference wheel interface motion axis that is perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis.

A universal axle-hub assembly is provided for an off-road vehicle. The universal axle-hub assembly comprises a wheel hub that receives a constant velocity (CV) axle snout into an opening extending through an axle support of the wheel hub. An outboard-most portion of the opening is a splined portion that engages with similar splines disposed on an outboard-most portion of the CV axle snout. An inboard-most portion of the opening is a smooth portion that receives a smooth portion of the CV axle snout. The axle support extends through an entirety of the width of a bearing that supports the wheel hub, such that the bearing supports the smooth portion of the CV axle snout and substantially eliminates shear forces acting on the splined portion of the CV axle snout. A bearing carrier supports the bearing and may be fastened onto a trailing arm or a spindle of the off-road vehicle.

A wheel suspension system is disclosed. The wheel suspension system may include a suspension assembly that may include a sub-frame adapted to be connected to a reference frame of a vehicle, a wheel interface adapted to rotatably support a wheel of the vehicle and to define a wheel rotation axis and a wheel rotation plane, and one or more linking units. Components of the linking unit(s) may be pivotally connected to each other, to sub-frame and to the wheel interface using pivoting connection that may cause components of the linking unit(s) to rotate about axes that are substantially perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis. The components of the linking unit(s) may be dimensioned, and positions of the pivoting connections may be set to cause a substantially linear motion of the wheel interface along a reference wheel interface motion axis that is perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis.

A wheel suspension system is disclosed. The wheel suspension system may include a suspension assembly that may include a sub-frame adapted to be connected to a reference frame of a vehicle, a wheel interface adapted to rotatably support a wheel of the vehicle and to define a wheel rotation axis and a wheel rotation plane, and one or more linking units. Components of the linking unit(s) may be pivotally connected to each other, to sub-frame and to the wheel interface using pivoting connection that may cause components of the linking unit(s) to rotate about axes that are substantially perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis. The components of the linking unit(s) may be dimensioned, and positions of the pivoting connections may be set to cause a substantially linear motion of the wheel interface along a reference wheel interface motion axis that is perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis.

A UTV portal axle system is disclosed, including a spindle with a housing for housing input and output drive gears coupled by one or more idler gears. The output drive gear is disposed lower than the input drive gear to provide additional ground clearance to the UTV. The king pin axis angle is substantially the same as that of a stock UTV, while maintaining a scrub radius of substantially one inch or less. This is accomplished by the lower control arm ball joint being located within a recess of the output drive gear. This allows the UTV to be properly controlled when driven at high speeds over rough or uneven terrain. The gears may be interchangeable to allow the gear ratio to be adjusted to be more suitable for use at various driving speeds. A method of changing the gear ratio is also disclosed.