Abstract: The invention contemplates a rack bushing and a rack and pinion steering assembly for use in a vehicle that includes such a rack bushing. The steering assembly may include a housing having a tubular rack portion with a tubular end, a rack mounted in the tubular rack portion and extending out of the tubular end, and a rack bushing mounted in the rack portion around the rack. The rack bushing includes a generally annular main body portion having a generally cylindrical inner surface centered about the axis and supporting the rack, an outer surface centered about the axis and including a generally cylindrical main surface adapted to engage the tubular end of the housing, and a first end and an opposed second end. The rack bushing may include a plurality of bores extending within the main body axially from the first end a portion of the way toward the second end.

Abstract: The invention contemplates a rack bushing employed within a rack assembly for use with a housing in a rack and pinion steering assembly, where the housing includes a tubular end within which the rack bushing assembly is mountable. The rack bushing assembly incorporates a rack bushing having a main body, made of metal, including a cylindrical inner surface and a cylindrical outer surface and having a first end and a second end. The main body also includes an integral lock ring portion adjacent to the first end having a retaining wire slot extending around the outer surface and a retaining wire bore extending radially inward from the outer surface. A retaining wire is mounted in the retaining wire slot and bore and cooperates with the integral lock ring portion to provide for retention of the rack bushing assembly within the tubular end of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus according to this invention for carrying hydraulic fluid in a power assisted automotive steering system, includes a tube having a tube wall formed with a first port that extends though a thickness of the tube wall. A housing includes a wall formed with a second port extending though a thickness of the housing wall. A retainer is secured to the housing. A fluid transfer line includes a first surface that contacts an outer surface of the tube, is formed with a passage communicating with the first port, is sealed against fluid flow past the first surface, and is secured to an outer surface of the tube. A second surface contacting the retainer is formed with a passage communicating with the second port, is sealed against fluid flow past the second surface, and is secured to the housing by the retainer.