A ball joint assembly includes a ball including an outer surface and a recess in the outer surface, a cup including an inner surface and a protrusion on the inner surface, and a sensor programmed to detect friction between the cup and the ball from the protrusion engaging the recess.

A ball socket assembly, dust boot assembly therefor, and method of construction thereof are provided. The ball socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore extending along a central axis. A bearing is disposed in the inner bore. A ball portion of a ball stud is disposed in sliding engagement with the bearing and a shank portion extends outwardly from the housing. A dust boot assembly having a tubular wall extends along the central axis between a distal end disposed about the shank portion and a proximal end in sealed engagement with the housing. The dust boot proximal end has an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the central axis. The annular flange has a cylindrical outer surface, a lower surface and an upper shoulder. An annular metal ring is disposed about and substantially encapsulates the cylindrical outer surface, lower surface and upper shoulder of the annular flange.

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.

Vehicle suspension systems are described herein. An example wheel steering apparatus includes a steering actuator to couple to a rear axle, a tie rod, and a transfer link to couple the steering actuator and the tie rod. The steering actuator is positioned on a first side of a first longitudinal axis of the rear axle and the tie rod positioned on a second side of the first longitudinal axis of the rear axle opposite the first side.

A wheel steering system includes: a rear suspension mechanism inclusive of a knuckle member for rotatably holding a right rear wheel; a first cam and a second cam that are rotatably supported; a first cam follower 18 that follows the first cam; a second cam follower 20 that follows the second cam 16; cam grooves 48 respectively provided in the first and second cams; a first engaging pin and a second engaging pin that engage with the respective cam grooves; and a rotational driving force transmitter that transmits a rotational driving force of an electric motor to the first and second cams, wherein the first cam and the first cam follower are arranged on a front side in the vehicle front-rear direction of an axle, and the second cam and the second cam follower are arranged on a rear side in the vehicle front-rear direction of the axle.

Self-steering axle assembly has an axle with central tube having a longitudinal central axis. A king pin is connected with an end portion of the axle. A knuckle is connected with the king pin. The knuckle includes a torque plate section. A first arm of the knuckle extends from a side of the torque plate section and receives a first end portion of the king pin. A second arm extends from the torque plate section in the same direction as the first arm. The second arm receives a second end portion of the king pin. A spindle is friction welded to the torque plate section and has a longitudinal central axis. The torque plate section has at least one surface on the torque plate section extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the spindle. A tool engages the surface during friction welding of the spindle to the torque plate section. The relative locations of the axle, spindle and king pin enable an air disc brake actuator to avoid contact with components of the heavy-duty vehicle during steering and with the ground and debris.

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 steering device, including: a steering knuckle rotatably holding a wheel and pivotally supported by a suspension arm through a first joint; a steering actuator disposed on the suspension arm; and a tie rod a proximal end portion of which is coupled to the steering actuator and a distal end portion of which is coupled to the steering knuckle through a second joint.

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 steering arm assembly includes a steering arm body, a first rotary connecting part and a second rotary connecting part. A first end and a second end of the steering arm body are fixedly connected with a first rocker arm and a second rocker arm, respectively. The first rotary connecting part and the second rotary connecting part are respectively connected with the first end and the second end of the steering arm body, and the steering arm body is configured to rotate relative to the first rotary connecting part and the second rotary connecting part. The steering arm body is able to be detachably located on a mounting bracket through the first rotary connecting part and the second rotary connecting part; and the first rotary connecting part and the second rotary connecting part respectively include a first shaft housing and a second shaft housing, which are engaged with a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate respectively.