Abstract: A steering assembly has a yoke and an axially compliant intermediate shaft having an elastomeric coupling fitted concentrically to the yoke for rotation about an axis. Preferably, a rigid sleeve of the shaft has a cylindrical portion that fixes concentrically to an end portion of a shaft element that extends longitudinally along the axis. Two diametrically opposite tabs of the sleeve project radially outward from the cylindrical portion. A resiliently flexible isolator is preferably molded to the sleeve and circumferentially covers the tabs and the cylindrical portion. The isolator preferably has two diametrically opposite ears located circumferentially between two diametrically opposite cover segments that substantially cover the tabs. The tabs generally prevent rotation of the shaft with respect to the yoke in case of isolator failure due to the excessive torque. Each ear preferably has a lobe that projects axially beyond the sleeve for enhancing axial compliancy of the intermediate shaft.

Abstract: A shaft assembly with recirculating ball roller joint unit for use with an automotive steering column or the like has an inner shaft extending lengthwise within an outer shaft. A recirculating ball joint is provided between the shafts. The ball joint includes a shell assembly having two shells which together surround the inner shaft. Each shell has an outer cage, an inner cage and a retainer defining ball races, with balls recirculating in the races in rolling engagement with the inner shaft.

Abstract: A shaft assembly with recirculating ball roller joint unit for use with an automotive steering column or the like has an inner shaft extending lengthwise within an outer shaft. A recirculating ball joint is provided between the shafts. The ball joint includes a shell assembly having two shells which together surround the inner shaft. Each shell has an outer cage, an inner cage and a retainer defining ball races, with balls recirculating in the races in rolling engagement with the inner shaft.

Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft including a tubular shaft element, a solid shaft element telescoped into the tubular shaft element, a pair of universal couplings for connecting the tubular and solid elements to respective ones of a steering shaft and a steering gear input shaft, and a torsionally elastic coupling between the solid shaft element and the corresponding one of the universal couplings. The torsionally elastic coupling includes a torsion sleeve on the solid shaft element, a bushing cavity around the torsion sleeve in a yoke of the universal coupling, and an elastomeric bushing on the torsion sleeve interference fitted in the bushing cavity. A pair of long radial lugs on the torsion sleeve are disposed in respective ones of a pair of notches in the universal coupling yoke with separation therebetween. The elastomeric bushing is relatively soft for maximum torsional vibration isolation at high vehicle speed.

Abstract: An intermediate steering shaft including a tubular shaft element, a solid shaft element telescoped into the tubular shaft element, a pair of universal couplings for connecting the tubular and solid elements to respective ones of a steering shaft and a steering gear input shaft, and a torsionally elastic coupling between the solid shaft element and the corresponding one of the universal couplings. The torsionally elastic coupling includes a torsion sleeve on the solid shaft element, a bushing cavity around the torsion sleeve in a yoke of the universal coupling, and an elastomeric bushing on the torsion sleeve interference fitted in the bushing cavity. A pair of long radial lugs on the torsion sleeve are disposed in respective ones of a pair of notches in the universal coupling yoke with separation therebetween. The elastomeric bushing is relatively soft for maximum torsional vibration isolation at high vehicle speed.