Abstract: A method for producing a yoke assembly (306, 406, 506, 606) adapted for use in a rack and pinion steering gear assembly (10) for a vehicle includes providing a yoke housing (302, 402, 502, 602), and a yoke cap (310) having a side-wall (328). The yoke housing (302, 402, 502, 602) includes a wall (302A) defining a yoke chamber (304) and an opened end (312). The wall (302A) is provided with a recess (314) formed therein. The yoke cap (310) is disposed about the opened end (312) of the yoke housing (302, 402, 502, 602) such that the yoke cap (310) extends adjacent at least a portion of the recess (314). The side-wall (328) of the yoke cap (310) is subjected to a metal deforming operation to cause a portion of the side-wall (328) of the yoke cap (310) to be deformed and reshaped to substantially conform to the shape of the recess (314), thereby attaching the yoke cap (310) on the yoke housing (302, 402, 502, 602).

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having an axially extending passage (14) and a yoke bore (18) that intersects the axially extending passage (14) within the housing (12). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the housing (12). A rack bar (34) extends through the axially extending passage (14) and is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (34) has teeth in meshing engagement with teeth (32) of the pinion gear (26). A yoke assembly (54) is located in the yoke bore (18) of the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (34) relative to the pinion gear (26). The yoke assembly (54) comprises a yoke (56) having first and second roller assemblies (154 and 166) for contacting the rack bar (34) and rotating during movement of the rack bar (34). A first spindle (112) supports the first roller assembly (154) and a second spindle (114) supports the second roller assembly (166).

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12). A pinion gear (22) rotatably mounted in the housing (12). Teeth (28) of the pinion gear (22) engage teeth of a rack bar (30) that extends through the housing (12) and that is movable relative to the housing (12). A yoke assembly (38) is located in the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (30) relative to the pinion gear (22). The yoke assembly (38) comprises a first member (46) for contacting the rack bar (30) and a second member (48) for pivotally supporting the first member (46). Structure (70) of the second member (48) engages structure (58) of the first member (46) to enable the first member (46) to pivot in all directions about a point of rotation (P). The point of rotation (P) is spaced from a location of engagement of the first and second members (46 and 48).

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12) having an axially extending passage (14) and a yoke bore (18) that intersects the axially extending passage (14) within the housing (12). A pinion gear (26) is rotatably mounted in the housing (12). A rack bar (34) extends through the axially extending passage (14) and is movable relative to the pinion gear (26). The rack bar (34) has teeth in meshing engagement with teeth (32) of the pinion gear (26). A yoke assembly (54) is located in the yoke bore (18) of the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of the rack bar (34) relative to the pinion gear (26). The yoke assembly (54) comprises a yoke (56) having first and second roller assemblies (154 and 166) for contacting the rack bar (34) and rotating during movement of the rack bar (34).

Abstract: A steering assembly (10) for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a rack (12) and a pinion (14). A yoke (28) is continuously pressed against the rack (12) by a yoke spring (32). The yoke (28) has a stem (62) which extends through an opening (64) in a housing (16). During construction of the steering assembly (10), a desired range of transverse movement between the rack (112) and the pinion (14) is obtained by applying force (114) to the rack to position the rack at a first end of the range of transverse movement. The direction of the force applied to the rack (12) is then reversed and the rack and yoke (28) are moved together away from the reference position until the yoke stem (62) has moved through the desired range of transverse movement. A yoke plug (20) is then fixed against movement relative to a main housing section (18). After the rack and pinion steering assembly (10) has been constructed, it may be desired to check the range of transverse movement between the rack (12) and pinion (14).