Provided are a vehicle control apparatus and a vehicle control method, a vehicle control apparatus including: a sensor configured to sense at least one of a vehicle speed value and a lateral acceleration value of a vehicle; an active camber device including a knuckle for supporting a wheel of the vehicle, an upper arm having one end rotatably connected to the knuckle to form a stroke node, and a actuator for rotationally shifting the stroke node of the upper arm with respect to a connection point with the knuckle in a vertical direction; and a controller configured to vary a position of the stoke node of the upper arm through the actuator on the basis of one of the sensed vehicle speed value and the sensed lateral acceleration value.

A suspension includes a jounce bumper, and a striker. A spring biases the knuckle toward a first position. One of the spring and the jounce bumper is disposed forward of a kingpin axis of the knuckle and the other of the spring and the jounce bumper is disposed rearward of the kingpin axis. When in a first position, the spring is a first spring length. When in a second position, the spring is shorter than in the first position and the jounce bumper contacts the striker. When in a third position, the spring is shorter than in the second position and the jounce bumper is compressed against the striker to be shorter than in the second position. When moving between the second and third positions, the spring and jounce bumper impart moments on the knuckle that approximately balance each other to maintain a desired caster angle.

Movable skid plates for a vehicle are described that are configured to move in response to movement of a first or second link to which the skid plate is coupled. Preferred vehicles comprise a multi-link suspension system having a plurality of links, at least some of which can move independently of one another. The skid plate is preferably disposed below the two bottom links of the suspension system. The skid plate can be fixedly attached to one of the two bottom links. The skid plate can be coupled to the other of the two bottom links such that the skid plate can move with respect to that link.

A bushing includes a cylindrical body and a flange extending from the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has an inner face defining a bore. The flange includes an outer rim and a face extending radially between the bore and the outer rim. At least one groove is formed in the face. The at least one groove extends from a first end intersecting the bore to a second end adjacent the outer rim such that grease supplied to the bore of the bushing is able to flow through the at least one groove.

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 bushing includes a cylindrical body and a flange extending from the cylindrical body. The cylindrical body has an inner face defining a bore. The flange includes an outer rim and a face extending radially between the bore and the outer rim. At least one groove is formed in the face. The at least one groove extends from a first end intersecting the bore to a second end adjacent the outer rim such that grease supplied to the bore of the bushing is able to flow through the at least one groove.

A low suspension arm strut coupling is provided for a suspension of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises a lower suspension arm that is hingedly coupled between a chassis of the off-road vehicle and a spindle assembly that is coupled with a front wheel. An upper suspension arm is hingedly coupled between the chassis and the spindle assembly. A strut is coupled between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A lower pivot couples the strut to the lower suspension, and an upper pivot couples the strut to the chassis. The upper and lower pivots provide a lower center of gravity of the off-road vehicle and a relatively smaller shock angle. The lower suspension arm is reinforced to withstand forces due to movement of the front wheel and operation of the strut in response to travel over terrain.

A rod-end front suspension is provided for an off-road vehicle. The rod-end front suspension comprises a spindle assembly that is pivotally coupled with an upper suspension arm by way of a first rod-end joint and pivotally coupled with a lower suspension arm by way of a second rod-end joint. A steering rod-end joint coupled with the spindle assembly pivotally receives a steering rod. An axle assembly coupled with the spindle assembly conducts torque from a transaxle to a wheel coupled with the spindle assembly. Each of the first and second rod-end joints comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing. The ball is fastened within a recess between parallel prongs extending from the spindle assembly. A threaded shank extending from the casing is threadably fixated with the suspension arm, such that the spindle assembly may be moved with respect to the casing and the suspension arm.

A damper assembly includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, a plunger, a passage, and a piston. The inner cylinder is positioned at least partially within the outer cylinder and has a cap attached to one end thereof. The plunger is positioned radially inward from the inner cylinder and coupled to a rod. The plunger, the cap, and an interior of the inner cylinder at least partially define a first chamber. The passage extends through the rod and is fluidly coupled with the first chamber. The piston is coupled to the inner cylinder and extends radially outward toward the outer cylinder. The piston, an exterior surface of the inner cylinder, and the outer cylinder at least partially define a second chamber. The plunger is configured to move relative to the inner cylinder, and the piston is configured to move relative to the outer cylinder.

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.