A steering assembly for steering a vehicle in response to a steering input, the steering assembly includes an axle extending between a pair of wheels, a plurality of linkages, a primary electric drive source, and a secondary electric drive source. The plurality of linkages includes a pair of knuckles operatively coupled to the wheels, a tie rod extending between and coupled to the pair of knuckles, and a drag link attached to one of the knuckles. The primary electric drive source is operatively attached to the drag link, and moves the drag link in response to the steering input to transfer movement through the plurality of linkages to turn the wheels. The secondary electric drive source is operatively attached to one of the plurality of linkages to move the one of the plurality of linkages in response to the steering input and independently from the primary electric drive source.

A steering assembly for steering a vehicle in response to a steering input, the steering assembly includes an axle extending between a pair of wheels, a plurality of linkages, a primary electric drive source, and a secondary electric drive source. The plurality of linkages includes a pair of knuckles operatively coupled to the wheels, a tie rod extending between and coupled to the pair of knuckles, and a drag link attached to one of the knuckles. The primary electric drive source is operatively attached to the drag link, and moves the drag link in response to the steering input to transfer movement through the plurality of linkages to turn the wheels. The secondary electric drive source is operatively attached to one of the plurality of linkages to move the one of the plurality of linkages in response to the steering input and independently from the primary electric drive source.

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 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 steering system includes a first wheel and a second wheel spaced apart from the first wheel, a first tie rod, a second tie rod, and an electrical actuator. The first wheel is rotatably coupled to a first knuckle, and the first knuckle is pivotable about a first suspension post. The second wheel is rotatably coupled to a second knuckle, and the second knuckle is pivotable about a second suspension post spaced apart from the first suspension post. The first tie rod is coupled to the first knuckle and to a mechanical linkage. The second tie rod is coupled to the second knuckle and the mechanical linkage. The electrical actuator is coupled to the mechanical linkage so that movement of the electrical actuator translates the mechanical linkage axially, which adjusts the orientation of the wheels relative to the suspension posts.

A steering system includes a first wheel and a second wheel spaced apart from the first wheel, a first tie rod, a second tie rod, and an electrical actuator. The first wheel is rotatably coupled to a first knuckle, and the first knuckle is pivotable about a first suspension post. The second wheel is rotatably coupled to a second knuckle, and the second knuckle is pivotable about a second suspension post spaced apart from the first suspension post. The first tie rod is coupled to the first knuckle and to a mechanical linkage. The second tie rod is coupled to the second knuckle and the mechanical linkage. The electrical actuator is coupled to the mechanical linkage so that movement of the electrical actuator translates the mechanical linkage axially, which adjusts the orientation of the wheels relative to the suspension posts.

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 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 tie rod reinforcement device for reinforcing a vehicle steering tie rod assembly includes a metal brace assembly that reinforces a threaded section of the vehicle steering tie rod assembly. The brace assembly includes an outer surface and an inner cavity having an inner surface. Portions of the inner and outer tie rods are disposed in the inner cavity when the brace assembly is installed on a vehicle. The inner surface of the brace assembly includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter different from the first diameter. The first diameter and second diameter are about equal to an outer diameter of the inner tie rod and outer tie rod, respectively, so that the inner surface is in direct contact with the inner tie rod and outer tie rod when the apparatus is installed on the vehicle.

A tie rod reinforcement device for reinforcing a vehicle steering tie rod assembly includes a metal brace assembly that reinforces a threaded section of the vehicle steering tie rod assembly. The brace assembly includes an outer surface and an inner cavity having an inner surface. Portions of the inner and outer tie rods are disposed in the inner cavity when the brace assembly is installed on a vehicle. The inner surface of the brace assembly includes a first portion having a first diameter and a second portion having a second diameter different from the first diameter. The first diameter and second diameter are about equal to an outer diameter of the inner tie rod and outer tie rod, respectively, so that the inner surface is in direct contact with the inner tie rod and outer tie rod when the apparatus is installed on the vehicle.