A bolt-on apparatus for conveniently modifying the camber curves of double wishbone suspensions on motor vehicles, for increased cornering performance includes an adaptive spacer to increase the distance between the upper and lower ball joint pivots of the wishbone control arms. The increased distance between the ball joint pivots changes the camber curve and reverses the position of the instant center point, about which the tires laterally pivot, or lean, at any given instant. This allows the tires to lean in the proper direction to maintain contact with the surface of the road while the vehicle frame rolls toward the outside of the turn resulting in improved tire wear and cornering traction.

A steering knuckle assembly for vehicles includes a connector for connecting a tie rod to a knuckle body via a ball joint is freely attached to and detached from the knuckle body. In the case of changing a ball joint point at a terminal end of the tie rod, only the connector is separately developed and then mounted on the knuckle instead of developing a new knuckle structure, thereby reducing fabrication cost as well as improving workability.

A connection between a steering knuckle arm and tie rod linkage. A spherical bearing having an integral seal formed thereon is disposed within a machined bore formed in one of the steering knuckle arm or tie rod linkage. A mounting stud is pressed into the spherical bearing and extends to the other of the steering knuckle or tie rod end of which the spherical bearing is disposed and extends there through to threadingly engage a nut to secure the mounting stud and firmly connect the steering knuckle arm to the tie rod linkage. The integral seals eliminate the need for separate boot seals thus forming a closer and more precise connection between the steering knuckle arm and tie rod linkage.

The present invention provides a suspension link assembly for use in interconnecting a suspension member to frame structure in a motor vehicle, and which finds particular application in rear independent suspension systems. The suspension link assembly includes an elongated extension rail and a tie rod assembly. The extension rail is a stamped component defining a generally U-shaped cross-section. The extension rail has a first end adapted to be pivotably connected to the frame structure and a second end defining an open-ended socket. The tie rod assembly includes a housing defining an annular cavity and a shank, and ball joint retained in the housing cavity and adapted for pivotable connection to the suspension member. The shank of the tie rod housing is slidably inserted into the socket of the extension rail. Once the desired length of the suspension link assembly is determined, the shank is rigidly secured in the socket, such as by a welding operation.

An adjustable tie rod assembly having a rod member and a knuckle assembly. The knuckle assembly includes a housing and an annular connector. The housing has a stem member and a bore with a longitudinal axis that is skewed to a longitudinal axis of the stem member. The annular connector is disposed in the bore in the housing. The annular connector pivotably couples the first end of the rod member to the housing. The first stem member has an engagement portion that is adapted to be secured to a relay rod.