Abstract: A tunable hydraulic bushing mounts a steering gear to a vehicle frame member. The bushing is filled with a fluid and includes an inertia track and a pressure valve separating first and second fluid chambers or cavities. The inertia track provides uninterrupted fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve is movable between an open position, which allows fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity, and a closed position, which blocks fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve may be configured to be closed during loads induced by smooth road shake and open during loads greater than smooth road shake.

Abstract: A tunable hydraulic bushing mounts a steering gear to a vehicle frame member. The bushing is filled with a fluid and includes an inertia track and a pressure valve separating first and second fluid chambers or cavities. The inertia track provides uninterrupted fluid communication between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve is movable between an open position, which allows fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity, and a closed position, which blocks fluid communication though the pressure valve between the first cavity and the second cavity. The pressure valve may be configured to be closed during loads induced by smooth road shake and open during loads greater than smooth road shake.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a sector shaft defining a bore therein and rotatable about a central longitudinal axis. The steering system also includes a lash adjuster translatable within the bore along the central longitudinal axis. In addition, the steering system includes an end cap cover abutting the lash adjuster and spaced apart from the sector shaft to define a first cavity between the end cap cover and the sector shaft, and a housing abutting the end cap cover and spaced apart from the sector shaft to define a second cavity between the housing and the sector shaft. The steering system also includes a seal surrounding and abutting the sector shaft, wherein the seal separates the first cavity from the second cavity.

Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle includes a sector shaft defining a bore therein and rotatable about a central longitudinal axis. The steering system also includes a lash adjuster translatable within the bore along the central longitudinal axis. In addition, the steering system includes an end cap cover abutting the lash adjuster and spaced apart from the sector shaft to define a first cavity between the end cap cover and the sector shaft, and a housing abutting the end cap cover and spaced apart from the sector shaft to define a second cavity between the housing and the sector shaft. The steering system also includes a seal surrounding and abutting the sector shaft, wherein the seal separates the first cavity from the second cavity.

Abstract: A steering system includes a wheel rotatable between on-center and off-center positions, and a shaft having teeth. The shaft defines a cavity and is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the teeth. The system includes a nut having cogs defining grooves therebetween, wherein each tooth is matable with a groove. The system includes a lash adjuster translatable within the cavity, and a retainer contacting the adjuster and shaft, and configured for positioning the shaft along the axis as the wheel rotates. A center one of the gear teeth meshes with one of the grooves to define a first gap having a first thickness therebetween when the wheel is in the on-center position. An outer one of the gear teeth meshes with an outer groove to define a second gap having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness when the wheel is in the off-center position.

Abstract: An electric power steering system equipped with rack travel end stops which prevent damage in the event of an over-speed condition. An abutment body is attached to each end of the power steering rack in externally concentric relation thereto so as to abut a respective housing abutment of the rack housing in the event of an over-speed condition of an electric power steering system and thereby eliminating tie rod assembly abutment with the housing.

Abstract: An idler arm assembly employed in a steering assembly of a vehicle having a body. The idler arm assembly comprises: an idler housing mounted to the body and including a bore; a pivot shaft mounted in the bore and being rotatable and telescopically slidable in the bore, with the pivot shaft having a cavity at a first end; an idler arm having a first end supported by the second end of the pivot shaft and a second end that supports the steering assembly; a ball stud having a ball end secured in the cavity and supporting the pivot shaft in the telescopically slidable direction, and a shank having threads; and a threaded cap secured to the idler housing and engaged with the threads on the shank, whereby rotation of the threads relative to the threaded cap will telescopically slide the pivot shaft relative to the idler housing.

Abstract: An idler arm assembly employed in a steering assembly of a vehicle having a body. The idler arm assembly comprises: an idler housing mounted to the body and including a bore; a pivot shaft mounted in the bore and being rotatable and telescopically slidable in the bore, with the pivot shaft having a cavity at a first end; an idler arm having a first end supported by the second end of the pivot shaft and a second end that supports the steering assembly; a ball stud having a ball end secured in the cavity and supporting the pivot shaft in the telescopically slidable direction, and a shank having threads; and a threaded cap secured to the idler housing and engaged with the threads on the shank, whereby rotation of the threads relative to the threaded cap will telescopically slide the pivot shaft relative to the idler housing.

Abstract: A steering mechanism includes a relay rod and an idler arm operatively attached to a first end thereof. A pitman arm includes a stud and is operatively attached to a second end of the relay rod. A bushing is configured to allow displacement of the pitman arm relative to the relay rod. The bushing includes an outer can, an inner metal member, and a bushing disposed therebetween. The inner metal member has a tapered receptacle configured to mate with a tapered portion of the stud. The resilient member may include voids, which may be oriented generally perpendicular to a turning direction and may be tapered from the base to the opening. The inner metal member may have a generally-cylindrical portion and substantially-opposing outer flats interrupting the same. The outer flats are spaced by a distance smaller than the cylinder diameter and may be substantially parallel to the turning direction.

Abstract: A steering mechanism includes a relay rod and an idler arm operatively attached to a first end thereof. A pitman arm includes a stud and is operatively attached to a second end of the relay rod. A bushing is configured to allow displacement of the pitman arm relative to the relay rod. The bushing includes an outer can, an inner metal member, and a bushing disposed therebetween. The inner metal member has a tapered receptacle configured to mate with a tapered portion of the stud. The resilient member may include voids, which may be oriented generally perpendicular to a turning direction and may be tapered from the base to the opening. The inner metal member may have a generally-cylindrical portion and substantially-opposing outer flats interrupting the same. The outer flats are spaced by a distance smaller than the cylinder diameter and may be substantially parallel to the turning direction.

Abstract: A pivot joint assembly includes a housing having a bore therethrough and a coaxial central axis. A stud is disposed coaxially with the bore, and has a bearing surface. A resilient member disposed between the housing and the stud is biased against the housing to accommodate radial loads transferred therebetween. An inner metal ring disposed between the resilient member and the bearing surface substantially surrounds the bearing surface and is sized for a sliding fit between the bearing surface and an interface surface of the inner metal ring. The stud is configured to pivot about the central axis by a range of at least 40 degrees. The pivot joint assembly may further include a sealing element configured to seal the bearing surface and the interface surface. Another embodiment includes an axial restraint element configured to prevent axial separation of the stud and housing.

Abstract: A high strength and low mass hard bar bumper assembly which has an interior bulk head to maximize beam face support for minimizing face dishing which maintains beam section shape by tying the flanges together and which transfers the impact loads from the beam face to the beam flanges. In the preferred embodiment, a hollow cylinder is used as the tie bolt and a resilient opened-celled bulkhead spacer is used to transfer loads from the face through the hollow tie bolt to the flanges.