Abstract: An apparatus for use in a vehicle suspension system includes a torsion bar (38) having a fixed end portion (48) which is held against movement relative to a frame of the vehicle. A movable end portion (56) of the torsion bar (38) is connected with a support member (18) for a steerable vehicle wheel (12). A retainer (70) encloses an intermediate portion (72) of the torsion bar (38) to resist sidewise movement of an intermediate portion of the torsion bar during twisting of the torsion bar. A strut (80) is integrally formed as one piece with the torsion bar (38).

Abstract: A steering system (10) for a vehicle includes inner and outer valve members (40 and 42) which are rotatable relative to each other to port fluid to a vehicle power steering motor (31). A torsion bar spring (102) is connected with the inner and outer valve members (40 and 42) to resist relative rotation between the valve members during operation of the steering system (10). A torsion tube spring (202) has a first end portion (206) connected with an outer valve member (42) and a second end portion (210). The second end portion (210) of the torsion tube spring (202) is connected with a clutch (212). The clutch (212) is operable from a disengaged condition to an engaged condition to connect the second end portion (210) of the torsion tube spring (202) with the inner valve member (40). Connecting the second end portion (210) of the torsion tube spring (202) with the inner valve member (40) increases resistance to relative rotation between the inner and outer valve members (40 and 42).

Abstract: A ball joint (10) supports a first suspension member (14) for movement relative to a second suspension member (40). The first and second suspension members (14, 40) define a steering axis (30). The ball joint (10) comprises a ball stud (100) and a socket (60) having a chamber (74). A bearing (80) is located in the chamber (74). The ball stud (100) has a shank portion (102) for connecting the ball stud for movement with the first suspension member (14). The socket (60) has a mounting portion (64) for connecting the socket for movement with the second suspension member (40). The ball stud (100) has a ball end portion (110) received in the bearing (80) and rotatable in the bearing to provide for relative movement between the first and second suspension members (14, 40). The ball stud (100) and the bearing (80) are movable together in the chamber (74) relative to the socket (60) and the second suspension member (40) in a direction parallel to the steering axis (30).

Abstract: An apparatus includes a structural vehicle part (14), a control arm (20) which is pivotal relative to the vehicle part (14), and a shock absorber (52) which is interposed between the control arm (20) and the vehicle part (14). The apparatus (10) further includes a stroke-reducing linkage (24) interposed between the control arm (20) and the shock absorber (52). Preferably, the stroke-reducing linkage (24) includes a lever (60) supported on the vehicle part (14) for pivotal movement about an axis (37) that is fixed relative to the vehicle part (14). The shock absorber (52) is pivotally connected to the lever (60) at a first joint (70) that is spaced a first distance (L1) from the axis (37). The control arm (20) is pivotally connected to the lever (60) at a second joint (76) that is spaced a second, greater distance (L2) from the axis (37).

Abstract: A ball joint assembly (10) includes a housing (12) having a socket chamber (20). A bearing (22) is disposed in the socket chamber. A ball stud has a head end portion (30) enclosed by the bearing (22) and a shank portion (34) which extends out of the housing (12). A retainer (38) applies force against an outer end portion (40) of the bearing (22) to press an inner end portion (44) of the bearing firmly against a locating surface (46) of the housing. A torque adjustment assembly (64) is operable to adjust the torque required to rotate the ball stud (32) about a longitudinal central axis (36) of the shank portion (34). The torque adjustment assembly (64) includes a force transmitting member (70) and an adjustment member (72). The adjustment member (72) is operable to press the force transmitting member (70) against the flexible inner end portion (26) of the bearing to vary the force applied against the head end portion (30) of the ball stud (32).

Abstract: A ball joint (10) for interconnection between relatively movable parts (12, 14/16) includes a ball stud (70) having a central ball portion (24) and a pair of stud portions (40, 42) extending in diametrically opposite directions from the central ball portion. The stud portions (40, 42) and the central ball portion (24) have a central passage (54) extending axially through the stud portions and the central ball portion. A fastener (260) extends through the central passage (54) for attaching the ball stud (20) to the movable parts (12, 14/16). A housing (60) encloses the central ball portion (24) and has opposite openings (74, 88) through which the respective stud portions (40, 42) extend. First and second bearings (100 and 130) for the central ball portion (24) support the central ball portion in the housing (60) for movement relative to the housing. First and second seals (170 and 200) close the opposite openings (74, 88) in the housing (60).

Abstract: An improved joint assembly includes a housing (12) and movable member (24) having a ball end portion (26) which is disposed in the housing. An annular seal (42) is disposed between an inner side surface (16) of the housing (12) and the ball end portion (26) of the movable member (24). The annular seal (42) has bilateral symmetry about a central plane (46) extending perpendicular to a central axis (38) of the annular seal to enable the annular seal to be positioned in the housing (12) with either one of two sides (50 or 52) of the annular seal (42) facing the ball end portion (26) of the movable member (24). The seal (42) includes an annular metal reinforcing ring (72) and an annular body (74) of polymeric material which encloses the metal reinforcing ring.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly (10) includes a housing (12) having a socket chamber (14) in which a ball end portion (18) of a movable stud member (16) is disposed. A shank portion (22) of the movable stud member (16) extends from the housing (12). An improved boot seal assembly (40) includes a flexible seal wall (48) having an inner end portion (50) which engages the housing (12) and an outer end portion (54) which engages the shank portion (22) of the stud member (16). The seal wall (48) cooperates with the housing (12) and the stud member (16) to form a chamber (42) in which lubricant (44) is disposed. A vent opening (70) is provided in the outer end portion (54) of the seal wall (48). A retainer ring (62) blocks the vent opening (70) in the outer end portion (54) of the seal wall (48) when the lubricant pressure in the chamber (42) is less than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A protective cover 12 for a threaded stud 26 of a ball joint 10 includes retaining members 90 for engaging the stud 26 of the ball joint 10. The retaining members 90 apply a retaining force to the stud 26 to prevent removal of the cover 12 from the ball joint 10. A wall 72 of the cover 12 includes a weakened portion 96. The weakened portion 96 of the wall 72 breaks in response to shear forces applied to the cover 12 which lessens the force applied by the retaining members 90 to the stud 26. Therefore, the cover 12 can be easily removed from the ball joint 10.

Abstract: A lower control arm (30) comprises a first portion (40) connectable to a vehicle frame part (28) for pivotable movement relative to the vehicle frame part, a second portion (50) connectable to the vehicle frame part for pivotable movement relative to the vehicle frame part, and a third portion (60) connectable to a steering knuckle (14) for pivotable movement relative to the lower control arm. The first portion of the lower control arm comprises a first ball joint (40) including a first ball portion (44) and a first stud portion (46) connected to the first ball portion and extending along a horizontal first axis (Y) in the forward and rearward directions of travel of the vehicle. The second portion of the lower control arm comprises a second ball joint (50) including a second ball portion (54) and a second stud portion (56) connected to the second ball portion and extending along a vertical second axis (A) perpendicular to the horizontal first axis.

Abstract: An improved ball joint assembly (10) includes a housing (12) which defines a socket chamber (18) having an opening (32). A ball stud (24) has a ball portion which is disposed in the socket chamber and a shank portion (30) which projects through the opening. A seal assembly (40) seals the opening (32) through which the ball stud (24) extends. The seal assembly (40) includes a flexible wall (42) which sealingly engages the shank portion (30) of the ball stud (24) and a retainer ring (50) which is connected with the flexible wall (42) and is disposed in engagement with a flange (16) on the housing (12). The retainer ring (50) extends outwardly of the flange (16) to enable a press-in-tool (66) to press against the retainer ring to press the housing (12) into an opening (68) in a receiving member (70).

Abstract: A ball joint includes a socket defining a chamber and having an opening therein. A ball stud has a ball portion in the chamber and a shank portion projecting through the opening. A bearing supports the ball portion in the chamber. A seal member seals the opening between the socket and the ball stud. The seal member includes a shank seal portion for sealing against the ball stud shank, a retaining ring, and a socket seal portion for sealing against the socket. The retaining ring is molded in the socket seal portion of the seal member. The socket seal portion with the retaining ring molded therein is located in the chamber. An axial end portion of the socket holds the socket seal portion in position against the bearing and the inner surface of the socket. The retaining ring blocks movement of the ball portion out of the chamber through the opening.