Abstract: The invention relates to an improved dust cover a ball and socket joint. The dust cover includes an elongated sleeved body portion and a hinged portion. The sleeved body portion is constructed of a flexible, elastomeric material and is sized such that the sleeved body portion must be stretched over a joint housing to frictionally engage an exterior side wall of the joint housing without requiring any additional fasteners. The hinged portion includes a sealing lip that seals around a shank of a ball stud and a plurality of hinges that provide additional surface material for the dust cover for increased flexibility. The dust cover includes at least three hinges, a first upper hinge, a second upper hinge and a lower hinge positioned therebetween. The first upper hinge is offset from the second upper hinge such that the first upper hinge is positioned higher than the second upper hinge.

Abstract: A gage device and a test system for statistically qualifying compliant or semi-rigid molded bearings and bearing sets to predetermined material conditions includes a gage body, a flanged plug, a stud used to set a first predetermined material condition, an adapter used to set a second predetermined material condition, and a test fixture. The device simulates the assembly of ball joints to determine whether molded conformal bearings or bearing sets are acceptable from a beginning of life perspective. In this way, functional acceptability of a given number of samples drawn from a production lot is proven to satisfy pre-determined maximum and minimum material conditions. A method of testing and statistically qualifying the bearings is also disclosed.

Abstract: A gage assembly is provided that is capable of simulating the functional environment of a molded component, such as a dust boot. The assembly includes a gage body, a collar unit, and a mating boss adapter. The collar unit includes a collar that is adapted to be secured to the gage body and is adapted to secure a specimen. The collar unit includes a stud having an upper portion and a lower portion, said stud being adapted to secure the specimen being inspected. The mating boss adapter is adapted to be installed over said collar unit and secure the specimen so that a portion of the collar unit and a portion of the mating boss adapter contact the specimen and simulate the intended functional environment of the specimen. A method for forming a gage assembly in accordance with the principles of the invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A motor vehicle ball joint assembly includes a ball stud having a ball stud axis with a shank portion and a ball end centered thereon. A bearing liner has an open end disposed over the ball end with the open directed toward the shank portion. The bearing liner has a bearing surface engaging the ball end. A plurality of slits extend from the open end of the liner, defining a plurality of flex members. The flex members operably deflect to receive the ball end. When the ball end is completely inserted in the liner, the flex members return to a locked position, axially retaining the ball end in the liner. A stem engaging element has a stem axis and extends radially from the bearing liner. The stem engaging element has metal engaging threads. A rigid plastic case envelopes the bearing liner. The rigid plastic case and bearing liner and the rigid plastic case cooperatively positively lock the ball end within the bearing liner.

Abstract: A non-oscillating joint comprises a housing with an annular inner surface, an annular sleeve wedged within the housing, a stud with a radially outer bearing surface received in said housing, a radially outer bearing surface of the stud adjacent a radially inner surface of the sleeve, and an annular bearing wedged within the sleeve, the bearing having a longitudinally inner bearing surface contacting a longitudinally outer bearing surface of the stud. In a first embodiment of the present invention, both the radially outer bearing surface of the stud and the radially inner surface of the sleeve are generally conical, the stud wedged within the sleeve. In a second embodiment, a second bearing is wedged between the sleeve and the stud. The joint is subjected to additional compression pre-load when the housing is closed.

Abstract: A bearing set for a ball and socket joint comprises an outer sleeve with an upper cavity and a lower cavity, each of the cavities defined by an inner skirt, an upper bearing received in the upper cavity and a lower bearing received in the lower cavity. A compression pre-load is applied when each of the bearings is inserted into its cavity, a cylindrical outer wedge surface of the respective bearing having a greater diameter than a corresponding diameter of the corresponding skirt. The bearing set is subjected to additional compression pre-load when the bearing set and ball stud are inserted into a housing and the housing is closed.