Abstract: A guide cap axially aligns a yoke to an input shaft of a steering system. A cap body has an opening receiving an end of the input shaft. A cap fin guides seating of the yoke to the input shaft by mating to a yoke slit. A finger projection engages a radial recess in the input shaft with a retention force opposing axial removal of the guide cap once installed. A fin notch provides limits to relative axial displacement between the guide cap and yoke and guides axial positioning of the yoke as the yoke bolt is installed, deterring inadvertent threading into the input shaft. The fin anchor mates to a notch of the input shaft providing stability to the fin relative to the input shaft, and fixing rotational position of the guide cap on the input shaft.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 19, 2012
Publication date:
January 23, 2014
Applicant:
ZF Steering Systems, LLC
Inventors:
Robert Linford Neidlinger, II, Matthew James Fenton, Andrew Robert Weiser