Abstract: An eccentricity tolerant valve stem seal assembly includes an elastomeric seal having an upper metal retainer extending down and within an upper seal portion which has an inwardly directed sealing lip for contacting a valve stem. There are also a flexible middle and a lower seal portions. The lower seal portion is connected to a lower metal seal retainer that is disposed up to a lower edge of the middle seal portion. The flexible middle seal portion allows the upper seal portion to flex from an eccentric valve stem without losing the sealing function of the sealing lip. In cooperation with the above described structure, a separate cover may be in a tight tolerance fit with the lower seal retainer over top of the eccentricity tolerant valve stem seal, in order to limit axial displacement of the upper portion of the seal due to high manifold pressure.

Abstract: A perforated collapsible spacer controllably takes up space between two bearings on an automotive pinion. The perforated collapsible spacer is formed from a steel sheet having longitudinal edges that are joined together in a form of a tube having longitudinal perforated sections formed in its central portion. As a pinion nut is tightened, an axial clamping force is applied to the collapsible spacer that is located between tail and head bearing cones, where the central portion of the collapsible spacer is caused to buckle, so as to adjust the final space between the bearing cones while a spring force is maintained on the bearings. Yield points of the central portion with the perforated sections that buckle, are controllable depending on the steel sheet material thickness, and the size, shape and quantity of perforations in the steel sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle parking brake control has an extendable pin with three faces, and a roller on a lower surface. The faces correspond to engage, hold, and disengage of a parking brake. The control also has a lever rotatably connected to it, where the lever has a roller at a lower lever surface. The roller being capable of rotational contact with the pin faces. Further, the control has a base with an upper surface for the pin roller to move across. When the parking brake is engaged the lever roller is in contact with a first face, when the brake is on hold the lever roller is in contact with a second face, and when the brake is in the disengage position the lever roller is in contact with a third face of the extendable pin. Consequently, the rollers provide a reliable lifelong operation of the control over prior controls.

Abstract: A frame assembly is manufacturing by initially providing first and second brackets. The brackets are provided by initially providing a closed channel structural member and deforming the closed channel structural member, such as by hydroforming, to have a central body portion having a pair of arm portions extending therefrom. The central portion is then divided, such as by cutting, to provide first and second brackets, each including one of the arm portions. A frame assembly is provided including a component having first and second openings formed therethrough. The arm portions of the first and second brackets are disposed respectively in the first and second openings and secured thereto by magnetic pulse welding.