An intermediate steering shaft for a motor vehicle includes a profile element inserted into a hollow profile shaft to form a circulating device. The profile element includes a second peripheral track segment associated, respectively, to a plurality of guide arrangements.

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 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 suspension is provided for coupling a front wheel with a chassis of an off-road vehicle. The suspension comprises upper and lower suspension arms that each includes two inboard mounting points to the chassis and one outboard rod-end joint to a spindle assembly coupled with the front wheel. A ball comprising each outboard rod-end joint is fastened by way a bolt between a pair of parallel prongs extending from the spindle assembly. The upper suspension arm is configured to facilitate coupling a strut between the lower suspension arm and the chassis. A steering rod is coupled with the spindle assembly by way of a steering rod-end joint that is disposed forward of a drive axle, thereby decreasing leverage of the front wheel on the steering rod and substantially eliminating bump steer that may occur due to rough terrain.

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 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.

The present invention is a steering system for a beam-type solid axle arrangement. The steering system is designed to operate in conjunction with the triangulated link-style suspension system with zero bumpsteer during suspension travel and negligible bumpsteer during articulation. Accurate steering throughout suspension operations is satisfied with mechanical linkages that include a slow ratio rack and pinion gearset and unique augmented chain and sprocket assembly. The slow ratio of the rack and pinion gearset ensures negligible bumpsteer during articulation, thereby leading to negligible if any bumpsteer throughout operation of the suspension system. Meanwhile, augmentation of the chain and sprocket assembly defines a steering quickener effect thereby speeding up the rack and pinion gearset and restoring quick steering response. Effortless steering is ensured by appropriate use of electric or hydraulic assist devices.

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 suspension device for vehicles (a front suspension (10)) is disclosed in which, of connecting portions (23, 24) of a lower arm (20) and a tie rod (6) for connection to a knuckle (35), one of the connecting portions (24) which is close to the rear of the vehicle is offset inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the other connecting portion (23) which is close to the front of the vehicle, in the steering neutral state. The center (P2) of a lower end portion of a coil spring (60) is offset outward in the vehicle width direction and rearward in the vehicle's longitudinal direction with respect to the center (P1) of an upper end portion of the coil spring (60).

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.