Abstract: The rack and pinion vehicle steering assembly has a steering rack slidably supported in a rack and pinion housing. An inner tie rod housing has a shank that screws into a threaded rack bore. A housing chamber receives an inner end ball and an open end of the housing chamber is crimped to retain the inner end ball. An inner support nut screws onto the steering rack and into contact with the tie rod housing. An inner support clamp has a central passage that receives an inner rod that is fixed to the inner end ball. Internal clamp threads on the clamp rim of the inner support clamp engage male threads on the inner support nut to retain the clamp and encase the tie rod housing and the inner end ball.

Abstract: The rack and pinion vehicle steering assembly has a steering rack slidably supported in a rack and pinion housing. An inner tie rod housing has a shank that screws into a threaded rack bore. A housing chamber receives an inner end ball and an open end of the housing chamber is crimped to retain the inner end ball. An inner support nut screws onto the steering rack and into contact with the tie rod housing. An inner support clamp has a central passage that receives an inner rod that is fixed to the inner end ball. Internal clamp threads on the clamp rim of the inner support clamp engage male threads on the inner support nut to retain the clamp and encase the tie rod housing and the inner end ball.

Abstract: A planet gear includes a toothed portion having a bore extending axially therethrough, a hub disposed within the bore such that an annular space is defined between the hub and the toothed portion, and an elastomeric element injection-molded into the annular space. The toothed portion includes a first groove circumferentially disposed in an inner surface of the toothed portion, and the hub includes a second groove circumferentially disposed in a peripheral surface of the hub. The grooves provide surfaces upon which the injection-molded elastomer can set. Holes may be disposed axially within the elastomeric element to decrease the spring rate of the elastomer, thereby providing additional radial compliancy to the planet gear. A method for manufacturing the gear includes disposing the hub within the bore of the toothed portion, injecting the elastomer in the annulus defined by the hub disposed within the bore, and curing the injected elastomer.