A constant velocity joint for a vehicle includes: an axle housing fixed to a knuckle by a hub bearing; a joint assembly inserted into an inner diameter portion of the axle housing and configured to transmit power from a shaft to the axle housing through a plurality of joint balls; an extension portion formed by deforming an end portion of the axle housing on an inward side of a vehicle body to extend in a radial direction of the axle housing so as to provide a pressing force to an inner race of the hub bearing in an axial direction of the axle housing; and a boot having one side surrounding an outer side of the extension portion to be coupled to the extension portion so as to form a restraining force between the extension portion and the boot in the axial direction.

A dual plunging constant velocity (CV) drive shaft is provided for communicating rotational forces from a transaxle to a drive wheel of a vehicle. The dual plunging CV drive shaft comprises a drive shaft that transfers torque from the transaxle to the drive wheel. An inboard plunging CV joint is coupled between the transaxle and the drive shaft, and an outboard plunging CV joint is coupled between the drive shaft and the drive wheel. The inboard and outboard plunging CV joints each comprises an elongate housing that receives a CV joint coupled with the drive shaft. The inboard and outboard plunging CV joints communicate rotational forces from the transaxle to the drive wheel during vertical pivoting of a trailing arm coupled with the outboard plunging CV joint. The elongate housings allow the drive shaft to “float” longitudinally, as needed, during extreme pivoting motion of the suspension.

A constant velocity joint assembly includes a constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint assembly also includes a sealing boot in contact with the constant velocity joint. The constant velocity joint assembly further includes a boot protector disposed on a radially outer surface of a portion of the sealing boot. The constant velocity joint assembly yet further includes a first fastener coupled to the boot protector to secure the boot protector to the constant velocity joint.

A wheel bearing assembly may include a wheel hub having a hub flange; one or more inner rings configured to be mounted to one side of the wheel hub; an outer ring provided radially outward of the one or more inner rings; a spacer coupled to a vehicle-body-side end portion of an inner ring disposed on a vehicle-body-side; and one or more rolling elements provided between the one or more inner rings and the outer ring. The one or more inner rings may be configured to be held on the wheel hub by plastically deforming a vehicle-body-side end portion of the wheel hub in a radially outward direction. A plurality of recesses for accommodating rotating elements of a constant velocity joint may be formed on an inner peripheral surface of the vehicle-body-side end portion of the wheel hub in a spaced-apart relationship with each other along a circumferential direction.

A dual plunging constant velocity (CV) drive shaft is provided for communicating rotational forces from a transaxle to a drive wheel of a vehicle. The dual plunging CV drive shaft comprises a drive shaft that transfers torque from the transaxle to the drive wheel. An inboard plunging CV joint is coupled between the transaxle and the drive shaft, and an outboard plunging CV joint is coupled between the drive shaft and the drive wheel. The inboard and outboard plunging CV joints each comprises an elongate housing that receives a CV joint coupled with the drive shaft. The inboard and outboard plunging CV joints communicate rotational forces from the transaxle to the drive wheel during vertical pivoting of a trailing arm coupled with the outboard plunging CV joint. The elongate housings allow the drive shaft to “float” longitudinally, as needed, during extreme pivoting motion of the suspension.

A hub built-in type constant velocity joint may include a plurality of wheel guide coupling portions to which wheel guides are configured to be coupled, and a hub housing which is formed between the wheel guide coupling portions and in which a discharge portion is formed to be stepped with each of the wheel guide coupling portions and configured to discharge foreign materials to the outside.

A system and method utilize a first rotation sensor that provides a first signal indicative of a first rotation of a first end of a rotating coupling. The rotating coupling has an articulating member mechanically coupling the first end to a second end. A second rotation sensor provides a second signal indicative of a second rotation of the second end of the rotating coupling. A processor is coupled to the first and second rotation sensors and is operable to determine a relationship between the first and second rotations based on the first and second signals. Based on the relationship, the processor estimates at least one of a degradation of and a remaining useful life of the rotating coupling.

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 dual plunging constant velocity (CV) drive shaft is provided for communicating rotational forces from a transaxle to a drive wheel of a vehicle. The dual plunging CV drive shaft comprises a drive shaft that transfers torque from the transaxle to the drive wheel. An inboard plunging CV joint is coupled between the transaxle and the drive shaft, and an outboard plunging CV joint is coupled between the drive shaft and the drive wheel. The inboard and outboard plunging CV joints each comprises an elongate housing that receives a CV joint coupled with the drive shaft. The inboard and outboard plunging CV joints communicate rotational forces from the transaxle to the drive wheel during vertical pivoting of a trailing arm coupled with the outboard plunging CV joint. The elongate housings allow the drive shaft to “float” longitudinally, as needed, during extreme pivoting motion of the suspension.

A wheel drive assembly for transferring propelling torque from a source shaft to a wheel, the source shaft receiving torque from a motion actuator. The wheel drive assembly includes a wheel-hub, adapted to have the wheel mounted thereon, the wheel-hub being arranged about a longitudinal axis, which is adapted to coincide with a rotation axis of the wheel. The wheel drive assembly further includes a drive axle and a constant velocity (CV) joint mounted onto an outer end of the drive axle. The CV joint connects the drive axle to the wheel-hub. An outermost surface of the CV joint is disposed outwardly of an outermost surface of the wheel hub, along the longitudinal axis of the wheel-hub.