A two-piece limit strap clamp for use with a shock absorber and a limit strap retention device is provided. The pieces couple together around the upper end of a shock absorber. The clamp has a protrusion that extends outwardly and is adapted for attachment of the top end of a limit strap. The lower end of the limit strap may be attached to a mounting tab that is coupled to the lower mounting bracket of the shock absorber. Also disclosed is a limit strap with a tether coupled to a spring of the shock absorber to prevent the limit strap from bowing out when the shock absorber is compressed. A method of use of a limit strap with a tether is also disclosed.

A spring seat, in particular a spring plate for a vibration damper, in particular a vehicle vibration damper, in particular a spring plate for a level adjustment device, in particular a vehicle height adjustment device, may include a spring retaining ring with an internal cross section or an internal cross-sectional area. The spring seat may also include a spring element configured to reduce the internal cross section of the spring retaining ring. The spring element may be configured such that a reduction of the internal cross section is configured to occur in a radial direction. The spring element may further include a tensioning element configured to adjust a spring tension of the spring element

A coil spring includes an elongated body (10) formed by a plurality of continuous coils (21, 31), and the body (10) includes an upper section (20) and a lower section (30), wherein pitches (22) and coil angles (23) of the coils (21) in the upper section (20) are generally consistent to form an upright profile (24) for the upper section (20), and wherein pitches (32) and coil angles (33) of two or more coils (31) at a free end of the lower section (30) is differed from the pitches (22) and the coil angles (23) of the coils (21) in the upper section (20) to form a gradually curved profile (34) for the lower section (30).

A preload collar for a vehicle spring is described. The preload collar is coupled to the shock absorber of a vehicle so that the lower end of the vehicle spring is pressing against the preload collar. The preload collar does not allow the lower end of the vehicle spring to extend toward the ground, or toward the lower end of the shock absorber, as much as it normally would. This pre-loading of the vehicle spring provides suspension lift to the vehicle.

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 coilover shock absorber includes a damper element and a coil spring, where the coilover shock absorber includes a first mount for the damper element and a second mount for the damper element, and where the coilover shock absorber includes a first seat for the coil spring and a second seat for the coil spring, where the first mount for the damper element is operatively separate from the first seat for the coil spring, where the second mount for the damper element is operatively separate from the second seat for the coil spring. The resulting inverted coilover shock absorber allows for separate load paths for the damper element and the coil spring to the chassis.

An actuator whose total length can be reduced is provided. An actuator (2) includes: a casing (7); a hollow shaft (8) rotatably supported by the casing (7) via a bearing (9a, 9b), the hollow shaft (8) including a bottom portion (8b); a screw shaft (14) coupled to the bottom portion (8b) of the hollow shaft (8), the screw shaft (14) sharing a common center line with the hollow shaft (8); and a nut (15) threadedly connected to the screw shaft (14). The nut (15) is capable of moving in an axial direction of the screw shaft (14) to enter between the hollow shaft (8) and the screw shaft (14).

A shock absorber assembly with adjustable height for two-wheeled motor vehicles and the like, including a shock absorber with a spring, e.g. a helical spring coaxial to the shock absorber, the shock absorber having a nominal length (L) and at least two couplings operatively connected to the suspension of the vehicle, the spring having a first end and a second end; the shock absorber assembly includes at least one hydraulic fluid pusher installed in series with the spring, the pusher acts on either end of the spring or the pusher acts on either coupling, a source of pressurise hydraulic fluid in fluid connection with the pusher and to actuate the pusher, the shock absorber assembly includes an accumulator tank assembly in fluid connection with the pusher, the accumulator tank assembly in turn includes one tank and a solenoid valve.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A suspension thrust bearing device for use with a suspension spring in an automotive suspension strut of a vehicle. The device includes an upper annular bearing member and a lower annular bearing member in relative rotation. The lower annular bearing member having a body provided with an embedded stiffening insert. The device further provides a damping element made of resilient material and interposed between the lower annular bearing member and the suspension spring. A radial flange of the damping element prevents separation from the lower side of the radial flange of the lower cap.