Abstract: A one-piece bracket is provided for mounting a tubular housing of a steering gear tube assembly to a vehicle member. At least one folded portion forming at least one receiving member is adapted for receiving a fastening member therethrough that couples the bracket to the vehicle member. A first leg portion is integral with and extends from the first folded portion. The first leg portion is contoured for being adapted to be coupled to the tubular housing. A second leg portion is integral with and extends from the first folded portion. The second leg portion is contoured for being adapted to be coupled to the tubular housing. The first and second leg portions are spaced apart a predetermined distance defining an opening therebetween for receiving the tubular housing.

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: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for urging components of power steering system into engagement includes a rack including gear teeth, a pinion including gear teeth engaged with the gear teeth of the rack, a yoke bearing contacting the rack, a spring for resiliently contacting the yoke and urging the rack into engagement with the pinion, a source of variable hydraulic pressure communicating with the yoke bearing and applying to the yoke bearing a force that urges the rack into engagement with the pinion, and a valve that opens a connection between the pressure source and the yoke bearing at a first speed in response to a first pressure magnitude at the pressure source and that closes said connection at a second speed slower than the first speed when pressure at the pressure source decreases relative to the first pressure magnitude.

Abstract: A steering assembly for use in turning wheels of a vehicle includes a rack and a pinion. A yoke is continuously pressed against the rack by a yoke spring. A damper, preferably arranged in series with the spring, produces damped resistance to displacement of the yoke away from the rack. The damper produces a relative high magnitude of damped resistance to displacement of the yoke away from the rack and a lower magnitude of damped resistance to displacement of the yoke toward the rack.

Abstract: A rack and pinion assembly including a housing having a rack portion and a rack disposed therein. The rack defines a rack axis. A support member configured to limit movement of the rack in a radial direction within the rack portion is also included. The rack portion includes a tapered neck portion that increases in diameter from an inboard end to an outboard end. The invention also pertains to a rack and pinion steering assembly that includes a housing having a rack portion and a rack defining a rack axis disposed therein. The rack portion includes a first rack portion that defines a first rack portion axis and a second rack portion axis that is offset relative to the first rack portion axis. The first rack portion axis is generally coaxial to the rack axis and the second rack portion axis is offset relative to the rack axis.

Abstract: A one-piece bracket is provided for mounting a tubular housing of a steering gear tube assembly to a vehicle member. At least one folded portion forming at least one receiving member is adapted for receiving a fastening member therethrough that couples the bracket to the vehicle member. A first leg portion is integral with and extends from the first folded portion. The first leg portion is contoured for being adapted to be coupled to the tubular housing. A second leg portion is integral with and extends from the first folded portion. The second leg portion is contoured for being adapted to be coupled to the tubular housing. The first and second leg portions are spaced apart a predetermined distance defining an opening therebetween for receiving the tubular housing.

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: 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.