Abstract: A piston assembly for a magneto-rheological fluid damper is provided that exhibits good sealing properties at elevated temperatures. The piston assembly comprises a piston rod having an axial bore therethrough, a piston core coupled to a distal end of the piston rod for movement thererwith, an electrical terminal located on the piston core, a conductor, a sealing member and a support member. The conductor is coupled to the terminal to form an electrical connection and passes through the bore in the piston rod. The sealing member is adjacent to the distal end of the piston rod for preventing the penetration of fluid into the bore. The support member is located and sized to block an opening into the bore to prevent the sealing member from being forced through the opening when the piston assembly is subjected to pressure.

Abstract: A piston assembly for a magneto-rheological fluid damper is provided that exhibits good sealing properties at elevated temperatures. The piston assembly comprises a piston rod having an axial bore therethrough, a piston core coupled to a distal end of the piston rod for movement thererwith, an electrical terminal located on the piston core, a conductor, a sealing member and a support member. The conductor is coupled to the terminal to form an electrical connection and passes through the bore in the piston rod. The sealing member is adjacent to the distal end of the piston rod for preventing the penetration of fluid into the bore. The support member is located and sized to block an opening into the bore to prevent the sealing member from being forced through the opening when the piston assembly is subjected to pressure.

Abstract: A motor vehicle strut and a rod guide assembly for the same. The strut includes a body, a rod slidable within the body, and a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a housing assembly with a compliant member positioned adjacent a sleeve. An aperture is formed within the housing assembly. A bearing receives the rod, is positioned substantially within the aperture, and engages the sleeve. At least one seal is positioned substantially within the aperture. A seal cover and a retainer are operably attached to the housing assembly. Lateral movement of the rod causes deformation of the compliant member.

Abstract: A motor vehicle strut and a rod guide assembly for the same. The strut includes a body, a rod slidable within the body, and a guide assembly. The guide assembly includes a housing assembly with a compliant member positioned adjacent a sleeve. An aperture is formed within the housing assembly. A bearing receives the rod, is positioned substantially within the aperture, and engages the sleeve. At least one seal is positioned substantially within the aperture. A seal cover and a retainer are operably attached to the housing assembly. Lateral movement of the rod causes deformation of the compliant member.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and method of assembling the same. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube and a stabilizer bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube. The vehicle damper assembly further includes a lower spring seat press-fit to the reservoir tube and stabilizer bracket. The vehicle damper assembly method includes providing a reservoir tube, attaching a stabilizer bracket to the reservoir tube, and press-fitting a lower spring seat to the reservoir tube and the stabilizer bracket.

Abstract: The invention provides a vehicle damper assembly and method of assembling the same. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube and a stabilizer bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube. The vehicle damper assembly further includes a lower spring seat press-fit to the reservoir tube and stabilizer bracket. The vehicle damper assembly method includes providing a reservoir tube, attaching a stabilizer bracket to the reservoir tube, and press-fitting a lower spring seat to the reservoir tube and the stabilizer bracket.

Abstract: The invention provides a one-piece mounting bracket for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle, a vehicle damper assembly, and a method for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle. The one-piece mounting bracket includes a body having first and second opposing portions; the body portions include at least one opening formed therein. The bracket further includes a plurality of straps operably attached adjacent end portions of the first and second body portions. The bracket is adapted for operable attachment to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly with a plurality of proximate welds. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube, and a one-piece mounting bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube with a plurality of proximate welds. The mounting method includes providing a one-piece mounting bracket, attaching the bracket to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly by a proximate welding process, and attaching the bracket to the knuckle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a strut spring seat support to support a coil spring and attachable to other vehicle suspension system components. The strut spring seat support comprises a spring seat bracket and a lower spring seat. In a preferred embodiment, the spring seat bracket is welded to the reservoir tube and the lower spring seat is positioned around the reservoir tube and projection welded to the spring seat bracket.

Abstract: The invention provides a one-piece mounting bracket for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle, a vehicle damper assembly, and a method for mounting a vehicle damper assembly to a knuckle. The one-piece mounting bracket includes a body having first and second opposing portions; the body portions include at least one opening formed therein. The bracket further includes a plurality of straps operably attached adjacent end portions of the first and second body portions. The bracket is adapted for operable attachment to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly with a plurality of proximate welds. The vehicle damper assembly includes a damper including a reservoir tube, and a one-piece mounting bracket operably attached to the reservoir tube with a plurality of proximate welds. The mounting method includes providing a one-piece mounting bracket, attaching the bracket to a portion of the vehicle damper assembly by a proximate welding process, and attaching the bracket to the knuckle.

Abstract: A one piece mounting bracket for connecting a stabilizer bar and knuckle to a vehicle suspension damper such as a strut includes a body with an engagement surface, which engages the strut and allows the bracket to be connected in generally surface to surface contact with the strut. The bracket further includes a knuckle attachment and a stabilizer attachment extending from the body of the bracket and reinforcing webs interconnecting the knuckle and stabilizer bar attachment.