Abstract: A rack-and-pinion steering gear device has a mechanism for adjusting backlash and eliminating lost motion or play between a rack and a pinion. The pinion is formed on a pinion shaft angularly movably supported by a pinion holder, the pinion shaft having an axis out of alignment with the central axis of the pinion holder. The pinion holder is angularly movably supported in a housing such that the relative positions of these components with respect to each other are adjustable. A subpinion is supported on the pinion shaft for angular movement with respect to the pinion, the pinion and the subpinion being held in mesh with the rack. The subpinion is normally urged by a resilient member in a direction to turn with respect to the pinion. By adjustably turning the pinion holder with respect to the housing, the backlash between the rack and the pinion is adjusted and the lost motion or play between the rack and the pinion is eliminated by the subpinion.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus for a vehicle which comprises an axle beam for mounting a wheel on each end thereof, a Panal rod connected between the axle beam and the body of the vehicle, for supporting the axle, and a pair of trailing arms, each trailing arm being connected between the axle rod and the body of the vehicle, at least one of the trailing arms including bearings for connecting the trailing arms to the axle such that the trailing arm is rotatable about the axle. The suspension apparatus further includes a stabilizer bar extending parallel to the axle beam, the stabilizer bar having one end connected to the longitudinal middle of the axle beam and the other end connected to a trailing arm.

Abstract: A suspension system for a motor vehicle having a body, the system including at least a pair of suspensions each comprising a shock absorber having an upper end adapted to be mounted on the body of the motor vehicle, a knuckle operatively connected to the shock absorber for supporting a wheel thereon, a radius arm adapted to be mounted at one end on the body and supporting at a distal end thereof the knuckle, a torsion bar spring having one end adapted to be fixed to the body and a twistable and flexible distal end and adapted to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the motor vehicle, and a resilient lower arm having one end fixed to the distal end of the torsion bar spring and the other end fastened to the distal end of the radius arm, the lower arm being flexible in the fore-and-aft direction of the motor vehicle and rigid in the vertical direction thereof. The suspension system of the present invention enables the torsion bars to function effectively.