Abstract: The vehicle steering linkage connects a rack of a steering system to a knuckle. The steering linkage includes a tie rod, an inner ball joint and an outer connector assembly for transmitting steering forces between a rack and a knuckle. The outer connector assembly includes a primary connector and a secondary connector. The primary connector includes a socket in a socket member, a ball retained in the socket and a shank that is integral with the ball and secured to an arm of the knuckle. The secondary connector includes a slot in the socket member and a bolt. A bolt shank passes through the slot and screws into the arm. Upon failure of the primary connector, the secondary connector transmits steering forces to the arm.

Abstract: A vehicle suspension system wherein the main attachment to the chassis of the steering and suspension components is by the king pin mounting. The suspension system includes a first member attached directly to a shaft rotating with the chassis attachment; a second member attached to the first member by a swivel joint or a bush, allowing vertical movement of a stub axle attached solidly to the second member; and a third member attached to the first member which acts as the steering arm connection and load transference support for the forth member, a telescopic shock absorber and spring unit. The stub axle being at right angles to the king pin. Use of the suspension system allows a lessening or elimination of the toeing in or out of the wheels which commonly occurs with the vertical movement of the wheel.

Abstract: A one-piece steering knuckle assembly for vehicles has a flanged body wherein the tie rod arm, hydraulic brake caliper bracket and, in some instances, the steering arm extend from the flanged body in a one-piece forged manner. There are enlarged bosses extending from the flanged body opposite the wheel spindle, the bosses having a bore which are axially aligned to receive a king pin. The flanged body, wheel spindle, tie rod arm and brake caliper bracket are all formed from a single steel billet as a one-piece heavy duty forging. Such a design eliminates the brake caliper/knuckle joint and the tie rod arm/knuckle joint, and thus, it results in savings in assembly time and weight.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing an angular position of a steerable wheel of a vehicle, such as a work machine or the like, about a steering axis thereof. The apparatus includes a support frame having an upper arm and a lower arm defining a space through which the steering axis passes, and a wheel hub located in the space for supporting the wheel. The steering axis extends through a predetermined bottom axial surface portion of the wheel hub, and a lower kingpin is mounted in a passage through the lower arm and supports the wheel hub in the space for rotation about the steering axis. The lower kingpin includes an axial passage therethrough extending between an upper axial opening facing the bottom axial surface portion of the wheel hub and an externally located bottom opening.

Abstract: A steer axle for a heavy duty vehicle is provided including an axle assembly having an axle housing. A steer knuckle is connected to an end portion of the axle housing by king pins. The steer knuckle rotates relative to the axle housing about the king pins. A wheel end assembly including a brake drum and a pair of brake shoes is supported on an outer wall of the steer knuckle. Preferably, one end of a cam shaft is supported by the wheel end assembly, such as by a spindle. According to the present invention, the steer knuckle includes a boss extending from a portion of the steer knuckle. The boss includes a hole, and preferably, a bushing is received in the hole to support the other end of the cam shaft. Other brake components such as an air chamber, rod, and a brake adjuster are supported by the knuckle and connected to the cam shaft to rotate the cam shaft about its axis and force the brake shoes away from one another with a cam and into engagement with the brake drum.

Abstract: An angle sensor is used for determining the relative position of a steerable wheel hub, relative to a fixed wheel mounting hub. The angle sensor has a portion mounted on the fixed hub, but received in a recess in the kingpin. The kingpin has a central bore that receives a movable shaft of the sensor which is driven by the kingpin. As the steerable wheel hub is steered, it rotates about the axis of the kingpin and rotates the kingpin. The kingpin drives the shaft of the sensor to provide for an indication of the amount of pivotal movement between the wheel hub and the wheel mounting hub.

Abstract: A steering knuckle and ball joint assembly for a tractor is provided in which the ball stud has a spherical ball portion and a pair of studs extending oppositely therefrom for attachment to the steering knuckle. The double studded ball stud enables the overall size of the ball studs to be reduced compared to a ball stud having a single stud and still accommodate the loads applied to the ball joint by the dual front wheels. Ball joints are used for both steering tie rods and suspension control arms. The steering knuckle is pan shaped to surround the ball joints on all but the interior side of the knuckle where the steering and suspension arms are connected. This shielding of the ball joints protect the ball joints from dirt and debris, especially from the mud and dirt thrown by the front tires.

Abstract: A support arrangement comprising a first support part for connection to a suspension strut and to a steering device of a motor vehicle, and a second support part for holding a wheel bearing, the first support part and the second support part having wall regions formed in a metal-casting process, the first support part and the second support part being connected to each other by means of screws, two brake support arms being formed on the second support part for attachment of the brake device, and the one brake support arm having wall regions which are formed such that they are substantially thinner than the corresponding wall regions of the other brake support arm. By producing the support arrangement in two parts a considerable saving in weight over producing it in one part can be achieved, with all safety regulations being observed.

Abstract: The present invention is an after-market vehicle-lowering steering knuckle (drop spindle) designed for use with a large-bore “live” wheel hub to lower a vehicle chassis. This is accomplished through the inversion and modification of the upper and lower ball joints as compared to a factory steering knuckle, and a modification of the bolt assembly for attaching the wheel hub assembly to the spindle. The present invention allows the factory-supplied upper and lower control arms to be used, providing a considerable cost savings to the end user. The drop spindle design described herein may also be used to lower four-wheel drive trucks.

Abstract: A steering knuckle structure that makes it possible to produce a light weight steering knuckle from a light metal alloy with a high degree of rigidity. A bracket for fixing a telescopic strut is provided at a vertically extending bracket wall which is supported by a bridge and wherein the area between the bridge and the bracket wall is open in a peripheral direction of the hub of the steering knuckle.

Abstract: An inboard hub lock assembly integrated into a steering knuckle. Teeth are provided on an end of the CV housing and an adjacent flange extending from the wheel hub. A clutch member with corresponding teeth is movable between 1) an outboard position engaging the CV housing teeth and the wheel hub flange teeth, thereby transmitting drive power from a stub shaft to the wheel hub, and 2) an inboard position engaging only the CV housing teeth, thereby permitting the wheel hub to rotate freely relative to the stub shaft. A spring biases the clutch member to a 4×2 mode fail safe position by biasing the clutch member to the inboard non-engaging position.

Abstract: Trailer apparatus includes pneumatic shock absorber assemblies for absorbing road shocks as the trailer moves and for raising and lowering the trailer evenly. The trailer apparatus also includes king pin assemblies which may be moved relative to wheel spindles for enhanced steering while the trailer is being pulled and while the trailer is being backed up. Three embodiments of king pin assemblies and two embodiments of pneumatic shock absorber assemblies are disclosed.

Abstract: An articulating between two linking parts, said articulation comprising a hinge yoke provided with two non-parallel shafts each defining an axis of rotation and carried by each of the two linking parts respectively, with elastic hinge rings inserted between capable of being stressed in torsion about the axis of rotation of the associated shaft. The invention is characterized in that the hinge yoke is provided with at least one bore for passage of a first shaft with at least an elastic hinge ring inserted between capable of being stressed in torsion about the first shaft axis of rotation (the “first axis of rotation”), such that the relative allowable angular displacement between the linking parts about the first axis of rotation results from the sum of the allowable angular displacement of the linking part relative to the first shaft and the allowable angular displacement of the first shaft relative to the hinge yoke.

Abstract: A module (10) for a motor vehicle comprising a suspension strut (12) including an outer tubular housing (16) for a hydraulic damper (24) and a spring seat (18); and a steering knuckle (14); wherein the housing, the spring seat and the steering knuckle are formed as an integral one-piece assembly. Reduces assembly complexity, time and cost.

Abstract: An improved steering assembly incorporates an adjustably mounted lower boss in a steering knuckle. The lower boss can be positioned at any of a variety of locations relative to a rotational axis of the wheel mounted on the knuckle. This allows adjustment of the distance between an I-beam spring pad and the rotational axis for the wheel hub. In this way, the present invention eliminates the necessity to have a number of different I-beam configurations. Preferably, the lower boss is bolted to a flange on the steering knuckle. Further, the upper boss may also be removably mounted to the steering knuckle such that the distance between a steering arm connection and the spring pad may also be adjusted.

Abstract: A shock absorber strut is provided including a tubular body, a clamping member, a steering knuckle, a fastening member and a positioning member. The tubular body is arranged at a lower region of the strut. The clamping member clamps the steering knuckle to the tubular body and includes a continuous slot along the steering knuckle and a fastening member which fastens the steering knuckle tubular body. The positioning member is a one piece component for positioning the clamping member with respect to the tubular body and includes a stop for positioning in the longitudinal direction and a projection for positioning in a circumferential direction. Optionally, a further positioning connection may be provided including a bead on the positioning member and a corresponding recess in the tubular body which engages the bead and allows the clamping member to be exactly aligned in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A screw bolt has shank portions of different thicknesses which are arranged along two mutually displaced axes and cooperate with securing walls of a spring strut and with a steering knuckle respectively in the manner of cams or eccentrics in order to adjust the camber between the spring strut and the wheel suspension.

Abstract: A novel arrangement of a steering axle for a land vehicle having a hydrostatic drive system, wherein a hydraulic motor assembly is directly mounted on a steerable wheel of the axle and adapted to be movable with the wheel, is disclosed. The steering axle comprises a pair of kingpin assemblies pivotally mounting steering knuckles to axle yokes. An upper kingpin assembly pivotally attaches the steering knuckle to the axle yoke, and, at the same time, provides a hydraulic swivel coupling between the wheel mounted hydraulic motor and the rest of the hydrostatic drive system of mounted on the vehicle, that prevents the bending of the hydraulic hoses conveying hydraulic fluid, by steering movements of the front steerable wheels.

Abstract: To enlarge the up and down stroke of a front wheel without changing the layout of a steering shaft and a tie rod. An upper arm and a lower arm are arranged in an upward and downward manner, respectively. The upper and lower arms are pivotably attached to a vehicle body and respective front end portions thereof are connected by a knuckle. The upper arm constitutes substantially a triangular shape and is provided with a front pipe, a rear pipe and a vehicle body attaching portion. Furthermore, a joint pipe is provided with a ring-like portion and a ball joint is attached thereto. A rear end portion of the vehicle body attaching portion, an escape portion in the vicinity thereof and an attaching center B of a cushion attaching portion provided on the joint pipe, are respectively arranged forward from a joint center line L passing through center A of the ball joint and orthogonal to a vehicle body center line C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suspension for a single wheel of a motor vehicle. A steering knuckle with wheel hub (1) is attached to a steering knuckle carrier (2) by a steering knuckle pin which is connected by a ball and socket joint (3) on its underside to a suspension arm (4) which is secured to the vehicle frame (6) by a pivot bearing (5). A second suspension arm (7) placed above the first suspension arm (4) connects, by means of a pair of tapered roller bearings, the upper part of the steering knuckle carrier (2) to the vehicle frame (6) through a pivot bearing (9).

Abstract: A steering apparatus (10) for use in a vehicle (12) having a steerable road wheel (14) includes a steering member (30) supporting the road wheel for rotation relative to the steering member. A vehicle suspension part (22) supports the steering member (30) for pivotal movement about a steering axis (42). The vehicle suspension part (22) has a housing portion (26) defining a chamber (50). A piston (52) is located in the chamber (50) and divides the chamber into first and second chamber portions (56, 58). The piston (52) is movable in response to changes in fluid pressure in the chamber portions (56, 58). An output shaft (90) is rotatable in opposite directions in response to movement of the piston (52) in opposite directions. The output shaft (90) is connected to the steering member (30) to pivot the steering member about the steering axis (42) upon rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A modified racing vehicle having dimensions such that it can run on a track suitable for a conventional go-kart and which has substantially the characteristics of a single seater formula racing car. The vehicle has no differential on its rear axle (2) and no suspension on its rear and front axles (5) but is provided with weight transfer structure to compensate therefor. The steering geometry of the vehicle is arranged such that, for the radially outer steerable wheel with reference to a turning centre, a castor angle of the kingpin axis increases and the kingpin axis is inclined into the turn as the steering member (6) pivots and the outer steerable wheel is lifted upwards forcing the chassis (1) down whereby a downward force is exerted through the chassis (1) to a non-steerable wheel (4) that is the radially outer with reference to the turning center.

Abstract: A reduction in size and weight of a vehicle wheel suspension is achieved by locating a brake force applicator at a top portion of a stub axle and adjacent a wheel turning axis and providing a pair of axially slidable brake discs engageable by four floating brake pads. Preferably, the force applicator is disposed within an opening or bore in a top portion of the stub axle adjacent the vertical turning axis which also passes through the stub axle. This is in contrast to the conventional sliding caliper that is mounted at either the front or the rear of a fixed brake disc and projects substantially further outward with respect to the vertical turning axis.

Abstract: Wheel suspension for a non-driven steerable vehicle wheel, comprising a kingpin (3) fixed in a front axle member (1), and having upper and lower bearings (17, 18) by means of which a wheel spindle (12) is pivotable relative to the member. The upper bearing (17) is a taper roller bearing with an inner ring (23), which is made in one piece with a spacer sleeve (24), which is clamped against the member. An elastic sealing ring (29) is held between the spacer sleeve and a surrounding cylindrical surface on the upper spindle ear (13) of the spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method substantially reduce moments of a steering axle while substantially increasing clearance between the steering axle and a ground surface and increasing strength of the axle. The method and apparatus also include a reversible high ground clearance steering axle having stops at different relative locations which facilitate mounting of the steering axle on more than one type of vehicle.

Abstract: Wheel suspension for a non-driven steerable vehicle wheel, comprising a kingpin (3) fixed in a front wheel beam (1), said kingpin having upper and lower bearings (17, 18), by means of which a wheel spindle (12) is pivotally mounted relative to the beam. The upper bearing is a roller taper bearing and the lower bearing is a journal bearing (18) consisting of an outer sleeve of an elastically deformable plastic material and an inner bearing bushing of a bearing metal.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly for a steerable rear axle of a four wheel steer motor vehicle chassis comprises a constant velocity joint drivingly interconnected with an axle shaft of the steerable rear axle, along a lateral axis defined by the axle shaft, and a wheel assembly for transmitting driving torque therebetween. A yoke has a main body portion with a central, laterally-extending pass-through for the constant velocity joint and is fixedly mounted to the chassis. The yoke has an upper and a lower ball joint arm which laterally extend towards the wheel assembly, where each ball joint arm has a ball joint passage therethrough. A knuckle for transferring steering rotation to the wheel assembly comprises a flat plate body with a central, lateral opening for the constant velocity joint to pass through and splined upper and lower ball joint pockets.