Steering Systems for Snowmobiles

A snowmobile comprising:

• a chassis including a forward frame assembly;
• an engine coupled to the forward frame assembly;
• a handlebar assembly;
• a steering column having upper and lower ends, the upper end of the steering column coupled to the handlebar assembly;
• an electronic steering assist unit coupled to the forward frame assembly, the electronic steering assist unit having input and output shafts, the input shaft coupled to the lower end of the steering column;
• a steering arm assembly coupled directly to the output shaft of the electronic steering assist unit;
• a first tie rod having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the first tie rod coupled to the steering arm assembly;
• a second tie rod having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the second tie rod coupled to the steering arm assembly;
• a first ski assembly coupled to the distal end of the first tie rod;
• and
• a second ski assembly coupled to the distal end of the second tie rod;
• wherein, the steering column and the electronic steering assist unit share a common axis of rotation that is positioned along a centerline of the snowmobile.

A snowmobile comprising:

• a forward frame assembly defining an engine bay and an electronic steering assist unit bay positioned forward of the engine bay;
• an engine positioned in the engine bay;
• a tunnel coupled to the forward frame assembly, the tunnel positioned aft of the engine bay;
• a steering system including a handlebar assembly, a steering column and a steering arm assembly, the steering column having a first end coupled to the handlebar assembly and a second end extending forward and downward from the first end;
• an electronic steering assist unit at least partially positioned in the electronic steering assist unit bay, the electronic steering assist unit including an input shaft coupled to the second end of the steering column and an output shaft coupled to the steering arm assembly;
• and
• a heat exchanger positioned above the electronic steering assist unit bay and forward of the engine bay.