Abstract: A vehicle spring suspension system comprising a primary spring and a secondary spring attached to the primary spring for aiding the primary spring to restore vehicle height and to carry increasing loads placed on or in the vehicle. The secondary spring is connected at one end by an assembly which can have serveral different arrangments for varying the load supporting function of the secondary spring on the primary spring, depending on the need for more or less load carrying cooperation between the primary and secondary springs.

Abstract: A flexible molded type boot for use to retain lubricant in a constant velocity joint in which the boot is formed with a series of axially related convolutions which extend from a joint housing having a large diameter through a series of progressively smaller diameters to a smallest diameter driving shaft. The convolutions are formed with expernal peaks spaced apart by inwardly recessed valleys constituted by pairs of angularly convergent walls forming valleys between the convolution peaks. The walls taper from thinnest adjacent the external ridges to thickest adjacent the valleys where the convergent walls are joined.

Abstract: A joint device comprising a housing having a bearing for a headed stud, a concave element engaged on the stud head in close fitted position with the internal surface of the housing, and a spun over lip of the housing deforming the concave element on the stud head to exert a desired preload on that stud head while forming its own stop groove in the housing internal surface to prevent lock-up of the headed stud in the housing.

Abstract: The assembling of a ball joint to obtain a consistent torque reaction value of a desired level is accomplished by applying a torque responsive probe to the shank of a headed stud such that the rotation of the headed stud will develop a signal proportional to the torque reaction of the headed stud on the bearings in the ball joint, closing the housing upon the headed stud while sensing the torque reaction to be able to stop the closing of the housing when the torque reaction of the headed stud in the housing has reached a desired value, and applying the assembling technique to a run of similar ball joints to produce consistency of results.

Abstract: A front wheel drive vehicle having a frame and an engine set transversely across the width of the frame, and an engine torque strut between the engine and the frame for resisting the torque reactions during engine acceleration and during vehicle forward and reverse operation, and for retaining the engine in a known position. The torque strut comprises a housing having one end pivotally attached to the engine, a piston rod at the opposite end pivotally attached to the vehicle frame, resilient means in the housing on opposite sides of a piston under a pre-load, hydraulic fluid in the housing on opposite sides of the piston, and flow control means in the strut for regulating the transfer of hydraulic fluid to opposite sides of the piston upon piston displacement in the housing, the flow control means and the resilient means damping the engine torque reactions.

Abstract: Service tool means for rack and pinion steering assemblies operably connected to the steerable wheels through tie rods extending from outer ball joints adjacent the wheels to inner ball joints connected to the ends of the rack. The service tool is made up of cooperating telescoped bodies having substantially matching slots, each ending in an enlarged notch, for allowing the tie rod and its attached inner ball joint to be passed through the slots and assume a position in the inner body where jaw means carried by each body adjacent its enlarged notch engage the rack and the ball joint for the purpose of relatively turning the ball joint while preventing turning of the rack.

Abstract: Tie rod ball joint end connection for a vehicle rack and pinion steering system in which the ball joint end connection is characterized by the housing having a bearing surface in one open end to receive the ball head of the tie rod, a threaded opposite end and deformable means positionable in the housing from the threaded end for exerting a preliminary pre-load on the ball head suitable for establishing the initial assembly thereof, and for transmitting to the ball head the final pre-load when the rack is threaded into the threaded end.

Abstract: An adjustable leveling suspension unit for vehicle shock absorbers having an external coil compression spring in cooperation therewith in the general manner of the MacPherson type strut assembly. The adjustable leveling unit includes a seat for the coil spring which is slidable on the shock cylinder, a collar and sleeve combination on the shock cylinder in position to support the seat and to slide the seat to different positions on the shock cylinder when necessary to correct for spring sag and restore the shock absorber to its desired position, and a guide or key to hold the spring seat against rotation while being moved on the shock cylinder.

Abstract: A ball joint subject to wear in service and having an exposed indicator extending through the cover so as to be in position for visual examination for indicating wear which can be both axial and transverse to the joint axis. The indicator is confined against rotation and cooperates with the opening in the cover of the ball joint to show the extent of wear.