Abstract: A linkage assembly (20) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a hollow center link (30) formed of a single piece of sheet metal. A first hollow tie rod (54) is pivotally connected with a first connector section (48) of the center link (30) and with a steerable vehicle wheel (22). The first tie rod (54) includes a hollow inner section (62) formed of a single piece of sheet metal and a hollow outer section (64) formed of a single piece of sheet metal. An adjustment mechanism (66) interconnects the inner and outer sections (62, 64) of the first tie rod (54) to enable the length of the first tie rod to be varied. A second hollow tie rod (74) has the same construction as the first tie rod (54) and is connected with a second connector section (50) of the center link (30) and with a second steerable vehicle wheel (24).

Abstract: A ball joint (12) is disclosed comprising a stamped sheet metal socket (14) and a ball end (18). The socket (14) comprises a base portion (40) and a conical portion (38) above the base portion (40) integral with the base portion (40). A wear tolerance compensator (44) is seated against the base portion (40). A plastic spherical bearing (46) is contained within the socket (14) and seats against the wear tolerance compensator (44). The ball end (18) is contained by the spherical bearing (46). An annular metal collar (48) fits over the spherical bearing (46). The collar (48) comprises a tapered end (82) which seats in the socket conical portion (38). The socket (14) comprises an annular lip (32) which clamps the collar (48) and presses the collar tapered end (82) into sealing engagement with the conical portion (38), under a predetermined load, sealing the socket (14) against environmental ingress.

Abstract: A turnbuckle assembly (20) for a vehicle steering linkage (10) includes a sleeve (50), a nut (52) and a threaded rod (30). The sleeve (50) has a plurality of circumferentially spaced knobs (80) located on its outer surface (78). The nut (52) has a base portion (84) and a skirt portion (86). The base portion (84) of the nut (52) has an internal thread (90), and is received on the threaded rod (30). The skirt portion (86) of the nut (52) has an internal groove (98), and extends over the end portion (60) of the sleeve (50). The nut (52) is movable from a starting position to a clamping position. When the nut (52) is in its starting position, the knobs (80) on the sleeve (50) are received in the groove (98) in the nut (52). The knobs (80) and the groove (98) then establish a releasable mechanical interlock holding the nut (52) in its starting position.

Abstract: A joint for a vehicle steering linkage comprises a housing and a ball stud. The housing has a socket which contains the ball end of the ball stud, and has a sleeve which receives the end of a tie rod. The sleeve has an external, first clamping surface which is inclined with respect to the axis of the sleeve. The joint further comprises a clamp which clamps the tie rod in the sleeve. The clamp includes a clamping member and a threaded nut. The clamping member has a second clamping surface, and is free of a thread for engaging the thread on the tie rod. The threaded nut moves the clamping member relative to the sleeve and the tie rod, and moves the second clamping surface in sliding contact with the first clamping surface.

Abstract: A ball joint has a stud with a ball end disposed in a housing in abutting engagement with an improved bearing. The bearing has a plurality of segments disposed in a circular array. A plurality of flexible connector sections interconnect the segments. As originally formed, the bearing has generally cylindrical outer side surface with a diameter which is less than the diameter of an inner side surface of the housing. This facilitates insertion of the bearing into the housing during assembly of the ball joint. The ball end of the stud applies force against a circular array of bearing segments to expand the circular array of bearing segments outwardly into engagement with the inner side surface of the housing. The bearing segments are interconnected by flexible connector sections which are deflected, as the bearing segments move outwardly, to accommodate expansion of the circular array of bearing segments.

Abstract: A steering yoke has coaxial spaced apart passages. A spindle connection supports a vehicle wheel for steering movement relative to the yoke about an axis corresponding with the axis of the passages. The spindle connection has upper and lower openings therethrough coaxial with the passages. A pair of ball joints interconnects the yoke and the spindle connection for relative rotational movement about the axis. A stud of one of the ball joints is located in a predetermined position in one of the passages. A stud of the other one of the ball joints is located in a position in the other one of the passages in response to positioning the stud of the one ball joint in the predetermined position. The stud of the one ball joint is secured in the predetermined position in the one passage in the yoke. The stud of the other ball joint is secured in the position in the other passage in the yoke. The position of the stud of the other ball joint depends upon the predetermined position of the stud of the one ball joint.

Abstract: A ball joint 10 comprises a ball stud 14 having a ball portion 40 and a shank 42 extending from the ball portion 40. A thermoplastic plastic layer 16 encapsulates the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14 and is adhered to the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14. A synthetic elastomeric bushing 18 encapsulates the plastic layer 16 and the ball portion 40 of the ball stud 14. The bushing 18 is adhered to the plastic layer 16.

Abstract: A ball joint has an elastomeric bearing which encapsulates the ball end of a stud. The bearing has a preformed molded shape that supports the bearing and the stud in predetermined positions relative to the socket during assembly of the ball joint. The preformed molded shape of the bearing defines a rib extending circumferentially around the bearing and the ball. The rib is inserted into a corresponding cavity defined by a mating inner surface of the socket.

Abstract: A joint for a rack and pinion power steering assembly connects the rack coaxially to a tie rod. The joint comprises a socket member having a first end portion connected to the tie rod, and a second end connected to rack. The second end portion of the socket has a chamber and a pair of openings into the chamber. The openings are centered on an axis perpendicular to longitudinal axis of the tie rod. A ball member has a pair of diametrically opposed projections extending coaxially out of the openings in the socket. A connecting member connects the projections on the ball member to the rack, with the axis of the ball member perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rack. The rack is thus pivotal with the ball member relative to the socket and the tie rod.

Abstract: A ball joint has a folded, stamped metal housing with increased strength and a seal to contain a liquid lubricant from leaking out through the housing seam. An annular steel support seat member reinforces the stamped housing structure and has an outer flange received in a recess in the housing to cover the seam.

Abstract: A ball joint comprises a sheet metal socket having a spherical chamber with first and second openings into the chamber. An elastomeric bearing encapsulating the ball end of a stud supports the stud with the ball end in the socket chamber, and with the stud shank extending from the first opening. The socket comprises a semi-spherical sheet metal wall portion which defines the second opening, and which is at least partially comprised of segments separated by seams extending from the second opening toward the first opening.

Abstract: A turnbuckle assembly for an automotive steering system tie-rod connection applies both radial and axial forces against the engaged threads to resist relaxation of tightening between the threads and to prevent spreading of the seam of a rolled stamped sleeve. Complimentary conical surfaces of a nut and the sleeve apply a compressive force as the nut is advanced axially onto the sleeve.

Abstract: A tie rod end has a one-piece stamped sheet metal housing for connecting a tie rod and a ball stud. The sheet metal housing includes a tie rod receiving portion with a longitudinally extending chamber for receiving an end portion of a tie rod; a socket portion which encloses a ball stud and an elastomeric bearing therebetween; and a connector section extending between the tie rod receiving portion and the socket portion. The sheet metal housing is made by starting with a single flat piece of sheet metal which is formed, using progressive dies, into its final shape. The sheet metal element has only one seam thereon, which extends throughout the tie rod receiving portion and connector portion and through a part only of the socket portion. The single piece of sheet metal encircles the ball stud and bearing and completely defines an opening through which a shank of the ball stud projects.

Abstract: A linkage component includes a rod portion. The rod portion of the linkage component includes a tubular inner layer and a tubular outer layer which is coaxial with and encloses the tubular inner layer. An inner surface of the tubular outer layer circumferentially abuts an outer surface of the tubular inner layer along at least a major portion of the axial extent of the rod portion. The double-layered rod portion of the linkage component has a relatively large section modulus.

Abstract: A joint includes a stud, a socket, and an elastomeric bearing disposed between the stud and the socket. The stud includes a head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion. The socket has a surface defining a chamber in which the head portion is disposed. The socket also has an opening through which the shank portion extends. The elastomeric bearing has a first portion and a second portion of a higher durometer than the first portion. The second portion is integrally formed with the first portion.

Abstract: A joint includes a stud, a socket, and an elastomeric bearing disposed between the stud and the socket. The stud includes a head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion. The socket has a surface defining a chamber in which the head portion is disposed. The socket also has an opening through which the shank portion extends. The elastomeric bearing has a first portion and a second portion of a higher durometer than the first portion. The second portion is integrally formed with the first portion.

Abstract: A variable length tie rod assembly includes a tie rod and a ball and socket assembly. The ball and socket assembly has a socket housing with a ball stud disposed in the socket housing. A tie rod extends into the socket housing. The variable length tie rod assembly includes adjustment means for effecting relative movement between the ball and socket assembly and the tie rod. The adjustment means includes a pinion rotatably mounted in the socket housing. The pinion has teeth disposed in meshing engagement with teeth formed in one end portion of the tie rod. The pinion is rotatable relative to the socket housing to effect axial movement of the tie rod relative to the socket housing.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint is used between members which pivot relative to each other. The joint includes a ball stud for connection with one member and a socket for connection with the other member. The ball stud has a ball portion and a shank portion projecting from the ball portion. The socket has a chamber in which the ball portion is located and an opening through which the shank portion projects. A cup-shaped bearing liner is interposed between a first part of the ball portion and the socket for transmitting forces and enabling sliding movement to occur therebetween. An elastomeric layer is bonded to a second part of the ball portion and resiliently interconnects the ball stud and socket and urges the ball stud and socket to initial relative positions when they are moved therefrom. The elastomeric layer has portions which project into volumes defined by the socket to mechanically interlock the elastomeric layer and socket and block slipping of the elastomeric layer relative to the socket.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint connects load transmitting members for relative pivotal movement. The ball and socket joint includes a socket, a ball stud, and a deformable elastomeric material. The socket connects with one member. The socket has an opening and a surface defining a chamber. The ball stud connects with the other member. The ball stud has a ball portion and a shank portion extending therefrom. The ball portion is disposed in the chamber and the shank portion extends through the opening. The ball portion includes at least one surface defining a volume therein. The deformable elastomeric material is disposed between the socket and the ball portion of the ball stud to resiliently interconnect the ball stud with the socket. The deformable elastomeric material also urges the ball stud to return to an initial position relative to the socket upon relative movement of the ball stud and socket.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering assembly for automobiles and the like dirigible wheel equipped vehicles having a longitudinally driven rack bar connected to wheel turning tie rod linkage by ball and socket joints with thin wall, tubular metal housings or casings which are easily and inexpensively attached to the ends of the rack bar by deformation and which preload the bearings of the joints to maintain a predetermined torque on the ball studs and eliminate end play between the tie rods and the rack bar.