Abstract: Determining a sealing integrity of a steering assembly determining when the steering assembly is performing a steering event, determining an expected pressure change associated with the steering event, and receiving data from the pressure sensing member. During performance of the steering event, the controller analyzes the data from the pressure sensing member and determines when the pressure sensing member detects the expected pressure change and reduces an incident counter. When the pressure sensing member does not detect the expected pressure change, the incident counter is increased.

Abstract: Determining a sealing integrity of a steering assembly determining when the steering assembly is performing a steering event, determining an expected pressure change associated with the steering event, and receiving data from the pressure sensing member. During performance of the steering event, the controller analyzes the data from the pressure sensing member and determines when the pressure sensing member detects the expected pressure change and reduces an incident counter. When the pressure sensing member does not detect the expected pressure change, the incident counter is increased.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle steering system including a moveable steering column assembly and a moveable steering wheel assembly, at least one actuator coupled to the moveable steering column assembly and configured to move the vehicle steering system from a first position to a second position, providing a sensor connected to the vehicle steering system and configured to measure a steering system displacement, providing a controller electronically connected to the sensor and the at least one actuator, monitoring sensor data received from the sensor to determine a measured steering system displacement, comparing the measured steering system displacement with a tracking displacement, determining whether a condition is satisfied, and, if the condition is satisfied, automatically generating a control signal to control the at least one actuator.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a steering gear including a steering gear housing enclosing a steering rack, the steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint, at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod. The at least one boot assembly includes a first boot proximate to the joint and a second boot disposed outward of the first boot. The first and second boots define a void therebetween.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an electric power steering (EPS) motor of an EPS system of a vehicle are provided. A steering rack position sensor detects a linear position of a steering rack linear of the EPS system and a suspension travel sensor detects a suspension travel of the vehicle. An EPS controller has a processor and a memory. The EPS controller is configured to control the current draw of the EPS motor. The EPS controller is further configured to determine an EPS motor output torque based on the linear position of the steering rack and the suspension travel, and to limit the current draw of the EPS motor based on the EPS motor output torque.

Abstract: A steering assembly for a vehicle includes a steering gear including a steering gear housing enclosing a steering rack, the steering rack coupled to a tie rod at a joint, at least one boot assembly configured to enclose the joint between the steering rack and the tie rod. The at least one boot assembly includes a first boot proximate to the joint and a second boot disposed outward of the first boot. The first and second boots define a void therebetween.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an electric power steering (EPS) motor of an EPS system of a vehicle are provided. A steering rack position sensor detects a linear position of a steering rack linear of the EPS system and a suspension travel sensor detects a suspension travel of the vehicle. An EPS controller has a processor and a memory. The EPS controller is configured to control the current draw of the EPS motor. The EPS controller is further configured to determine an EPS motor output torque based on the linear position of the steering rack and the suspension travel, and to limit the current draw of the EPS motor based on the EPS motor output torque.

Abstract: A fluid connector for connecting fluid conduit to a component in the presence of an electrolyte solution includes a connector body and sacrificial anode. The connector body defines an internal recess. The sacrificial anode can be press-fitted into the internal recess and circumscribed by the connector body. The sacrificial anode, which is constructed of a material that is configured to be consumed over a life of the component to prevent or delay corrosion of the connector body due to contact with the electrolyte solution, may be constructed of aluminum, magnesium, zinc, or other active metals. A fluid system for use in the presence of the electrolyte solution includes the component, fluid conduit, a pump, and the fluid connector. A vehicle includes the fluid system and a vehicle body. The component may be a steering gear assembly in some embodiments.

Abstract: A joint assembly having a shaft with a retention notch, a joint coupling, a spring clip and a full insertion clip. The joint coupling including a body having a bore, with the bore receiving the shaft, and the body including a secondary fastener hole extending normal to the bore. The spring clip including a fixed end secured to the main body, a flexible middle portion, and a finger at an opposed end, the finger engaging the shaft as the shaft slides into the bore and extending into the retention notch when the shaft is in a fully inserted position. The full insertion clip having a first end secure to the main body, a flexible portion and an opposed second end having a fastener alignment hole, the fastener alignment hole aligning with the secondary fastener hole when not flexed and misaligning with the secondary fastener hole when flexed.

Abstract: An electric power steering system equipped with rack travel end stops which prevent damage in the event of an over-speed condition. An abutment body is attached to each end of the power steering rack in externally concentric relation thereto so as to abut a respective housing abutment of the rack housing in the event of an over-speed condition of an electric power steering system and thereby eliminating tie rod assembly abutment with the housing.

Abstract: A joint assembly having a shaft with a retention notch, a joint coupling, a spring clip and a full insertion clip. The joint coupling including a body having a bore, with the bore receiving the shaft, and the body including a secondary fastener hole extending normal to the bore. The spring clip including a fixed end secured to the main body, a flexible middle portion, and a finger at an opposed end, the finger engaging the shaft as the shaft slides into the bore and extending into the retention notch when the shaft is in a fully inserted position. The full insertion clip having a first end secure to the main body, a flexible portion and an opposed second end having a fastener alignment hole, the fastener alignment hole aligning with the secondary fastener hole when not flexed and misaligning with the secondary fastener hole when flexed.

Abstract: A power steering system for transferring torque to a sector gear includes a first ball screw and a first ball nut circumscribing the first ball screw. The first ball nut is in torque-transfer communication with the first ball screw through a plurality of ball bearings and is meshed or engaged with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. An electric motor is configured to selectively supply torque to the sector gear through the first ball nut.

Abstract: A steering wheel alignment system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and steering unit that includes a first shaft operatively connected to the steering unit, a second shaft operatively connected to the steering wheel, and a coupling disposed between the first and second shafts to couple the shafts so that rotation of the steering wheel operates the steering unit to steer the vehicle. The coupling includes: a bolt, one of the shafts is hollow to telescope over the other shaft, and each shaft has a radial extending hole therethrough for receiving the bolt to attach the first and second shafts together. The radial extending hole through one of the shafts is elongated in the radial direction so that when the bolt extends through the holes of the first and second shafts the elongation of the hole defines a range of radial adjusting movement of the shafts relative one another until tightening of the bolt clamps the first and second shafts together against further relative rotation.

Abstract: An internal tube is inserted into an external tube to align first bolt holes provided through opposed walls of the external tube with second bolt holes provided through opposed walls of the internal tube. A bolt is inserted through the first bolt holes and through the second bolt holes to connect the tubes together when the bolt holes are aligned. An error-proofing clip is mounted in the internal tube and has a tongue extending from the end thereof to reach into the external tube and block the insertion of the bolt through the first bolt holes of the external tube until the insertion of the internal tube has proceeded fully to bring the first bolt holes of the external tube and the second bolt holes of the internal tube into alignment with one another, thereby preventing a premature installation of the bolt through only the first bolt holes.

Abstract: A parallelogram steering system transfers torque to a relay rod in response to steering commands. The steering system includes an input member configured to receive the steering commands. A pitman arm and an idler arm are both movably connected to the relay rod. An idler shaft is operatively connected to the idler arm for common rotation therewith. The steering system also includes at least one electric motor, which is configured to selectively supply assist torque to the idler shaft in response to the steering commands.

Abstract: An internal tube is inserted into an external tube to align first bolt holes provided through opposed walls of the external tube with second bolt holes provided through opposed walls of the internal tube. A bolt is inserted through the first bolt holes and through the second bolt holes to connect the tubes together when the bolt holes are aligned. An error-proofing clip is mounted in the internal tube and has a tongue extending from the end thereof to reach into the external tube and block the insertion of the bolt through the first bolt holes of the external tube until the insertion of the internal tube has proceeded fully to bring the first bolt holes of the external tube and the second bolt holes of the internal tube into alignment with one another, thereby preventing a premature installation of the bolt through only the first bolt holes.

Abstract: A power steering system includes an input shaft operatively connected to an input member, and a sector gear operatively connected to a pitman arm. A first ball screw is formed on the input shaft. A first ball nut circumscribes the first ball screw and is in torque-transfer communication therewith through a plurality of ball bearings. A first rack is rigidly attached to the first ball nut, and is meshed with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. A second ball screw is not substantially coaxial with the first ball screw. A second ball nut circumscribes the second ball screw and is in torque-transfer communication with the second ball screw through the ball bearings. A second rack is meshed with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. An electric motor is configured to selectively supply torque to the sector gear through the second ball screw.

Abstract: A steering wheel alignment system for a vehicle having a steering wheel and steering unit that includes a first shaft operatively connected to the steering unit, a second shaft operatively connected to the steering wheel, and a coupling disposed between the first and second shafts to couple the shafts so that rotation of the steering wheel operates the steering unit to steer the vehicle. The coupling includes: a bolt, one of the shafts is hollow to telescope over the other shaft, and each shaft has a radial extending hole therethrough for receiving the bolt to attach the first and second shafts together. The radial extending hole through one of the shafts is elongated in the radial direction so that when the bolt extends through the holes of the first and second shafts the elongation of the hole defines a range of radial adjusting movement of the shafts relative one another until tightening of the bolt clamps the first and second shafts together against further relative rotation.

Abstract: A power steering system for transferring torque to a sector gear includes a first ball screw and a first ball nut circumscribing the first ball screw. The first ball nut is in torque-transfer communication with the first ball screw through a plurality of ball bearings and is meshed or engaged with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. An electric motor is configured to selectively supply torque to the sector gear through the first ball nut.

Abstract: A power steering system includes an input shaft operatively connected to an input member, and a sector gear operatively connected to a pitman arm. A first ball screw is formed on the input shaft. A first ball nut circumscribes the first ball screw and is in torque-transfer communication therewith through a plurality of ball bearings. A first rack is rigidly attached to the first ball nut, and is meshed with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. A second ball screw is not substantially coaxial with the first ball screw. A second ball nut circumscribes the second ball screw and is in torque-transfer communication with the second ball screw through the ball bearings. A second rack is meshed with the sector gear for torque transfer therewith. An electric motor is configured to selectively supply torque to the sector gear through the second ball screw.