Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear assembly (10) for a vehicle comprises a housing (12) having a rack chamber (24) and a bearing chamber (35). The housing (12) has opposed slots (40, 42) opening into the bearing chamber (35). A rack (14) is movable in the rack chamber (24) in the housing (12) to effect steering movement of steerable wheels of the vehicle. A rotatable pinion (20) is in meshing engagement with the rack (14). An axle (70) located in the bearing chamber (35) in the housing (12) has opposite end portions (74, 76) located in the opposed slots (40, 42) in the housing. A bearing (60) is in engagement with the rack (14) and is supported on the axle (70) for rotation in the bearing chamber (35). A cover (90) supported on the housing (12) engages the axle (70) to hold the bearing (60) in engagement with the rack (14) and to hold the rack in engagement with the pinion (20).

Abstract: A fluid power assisted rack and pinion steering apparatus (10) includes a rack (24) connectable with steerable wheels of the vehicle. The rack (24) is movable in opposite directions to turn the steerable wheels in opposite directions. A housing (20) partially encloses the rack (24) and defines a fluid chamber (40). The housing (20) has an inner surface (30). A bushing (60) encircles the rack (24) and supports the rack for sliding movement relative to the housing (20). The bushing (60) has a recess (70) on its outer periphery. A portion (79) of the housing (20) is deformed radially inward into the recess (70) to secure the bushing (60) to the housing (20). An annular first seal member (90) encircles the rack (24) and extends between the rack and the bushing (60). An annular second seal member (100) encircles the bushing (60) and extends between the bushing and the inner surface (30) of the housing (20). A bellows member (120) encircles the rack (24) and has an end portion (126) secured to the bushing (60).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for turning steerable wheels of a vehicle upon turning of a vehicle steering wheel comprises a housing (14) having a chamber (38), a rack (16) movable in opposite directions in the chamber to effect turning of the steerable wheels in opposite directions, a pinion (18) meshed with the rack, and a yoke (20) partially disposed in the housing and supporting the rack for sliding movement relative to the yoke. The yoke (20) comprises a molded plastic body having a recess (130) and a plate spring (150) located in the recess. The plate spring (150) has a surface (154) engaging the rack (16) and biasing the rack into engagement with the pinion (18). The plate spring (150) supports the rack (16) for sliding movement relative to the plate spring.

Abstract: A vehicle steering apparatus (10) comprises a rack (24) connectable with steerable vehicle wheels and a housing (20) partially enclosing the rack and defining a fluid chamber (50). The housing (20) includes an inner surface (30) and a radially extending end surface (36). An annular seal member (72) seals the fluid chamber (50). The seal member (72) encircles the rack (24) and extends between the rack and the inner surface (30). A bushing (70) encircles the rack (24) and is attachable to the housing (20). The bushing (70) includes a first portion (80) disposed between the rack (24) and the housing (20). The first portion (80) supports the seal member (72) and supports the rack (24) for sliding movement relative to the housing (20). The bushing (70) includes a second portion (82) having a first section (130) disposed between the rack (24) and the housing (20). The second portion (82) has a second section (132) extending beyond the end surface (36).