A coupling device includes two coaxial shafts, namely a tubular outer shaft and an inner shaft, capable of rotating about a reference axis; a wrap-around raceway formed on a first one of the coaxial shafts; an oblique raceway formed on the second coaxial shaft and a play take-up rail provided with a complementary raceway and movable relative to the second coaxial shaft parallel to a plane perpendicular to the reference axis. A row of balls is positioned to run parallel to the reference axis on the wrap-around raceway, the oblique raceway and the complementary raceway, to guide the two coaxial shafts relative to each other in translation.

Methods and systems are provided for a steering axle assembly. In one example, a system may include a tapered pin coupled to a steering knuckle and to an axle beam end. A set of bushings may circumferentially surround the tapered pin and enable rotation of the steering knuckle around the tapered pin without lubricant.

The present invention relates to a ball spline having a reinforcement bush part, comprising: a rod-shaped spline shaft having at least one concave track groove formed to extend along the longitudinal direction thereof; a nut part in which the spline shaft is inserted and movable along the longitudinal direction thereof; and a plurality of balls provided between the nut part and the spline shaft to circulate, wherein: the nut part includes a nut which is a hollow body into which the spline shaft is inserted, and retainers which are hollow bodies which are provided at longitudinally opposite sides of the nut and into which the spline shaft is inserted; at least one spline part and at least one reinforcement bush part are provided at the nut part; some of the balls change direction in spline circulation grooves of longitudinally opposite side retainers and circulate and move between a track groove and a load track groove and along a no-load circulation part; and the others of the balls roll while being in contact with the outer surface of the spline shaft, and circulate and move along the reinforcement bush part.

A bearing assembly (100) for supporting a steering shaft within a steering column tube including an outer bearing ring (120) defining an outer raceway (122), an inner bearing ring (130) defining an inner raceway (132), a plurality of roller elements (154) disposed between the inner raceway and the outer raceway, a support cone (160) defining an inner face and an outer surface, the support cone being disposed radially inwardly of, and in contact with, the inner bearing ring, and a biasing element (180) disposed adjacent the inner surface of the support cone. The biasing element exerts force radially-outwardly against the inner surface of the support cone.

The present disclosure relates to a steering shaft for a motor vehicle, comprising an outer shaft which is configured as a hollow shaft and an inner shaft which is arranged coaxially in the hollow shaft. The inner shaft can be telescoped relative to the hollow shaft in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft, and is connected to the hollow shaft in a torque-transmitting manner via at least one positively locking element. A securing apparatus with at least one stop element is attached on an end region of the hollow shaft which faces the inner shaft. A stop face is arranged in the opening cross section of the hollow shaft and faces the hollow shaft in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

The socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore that extends from a wall at a closed end to an open end. A ball stud is received in the inner bore, and a shank portion of the ball stud projects out through the open end. A backing bearing is movably disposed in the inner bore. The backing bearing presents a bearing surface which is in sliding contact with a ball portion of the ball stud. An exit bearing is locked into a fixed position within the inner bore and has another bearing surface which is in sliding contact with the ball portion. A spring is positioned between the wall and the backing bearing and imparts a preload force against the backing bearing. The wall is deformed to preload the spring against the backing bearing and reduce clearances between components in the socket assembly.

A method of manufacturing a spline telescopic shaft includes a masking step in which, in a prescribed axial-direction region of an intermediate manufacturing product, partial tooth grooves that are equally spaced circumferentially are respectively covered by masking members that are equally spaced circumferentially; a resin coating step in which a resin layer is formed, and inner surfaces of the partial tooth grooves covered by the masking members are left as metal exposed portions that are equally spaced circumferentially; and a coating film forming step in which, in a state where the intermediate manufacturing product provided with the resin layer is centered with respect to a broach via the metal exposed portions, the intermediate manufacturing product and the broach are caused to slide relative to each other in an axial direction by press-fitting such that the resin layer is shaved to form a resin coating film.

A leading-edge steering system is provided for a front suspension of an off-road vehicle. The leading-edge steering system is comprised of a spindle assembly that supports a drive axle assembly to conduct torque from a transaxle to a front wheel. A first rod-end joint pivotally couples an upper suspension arm and the spindle assembly, and a second rod-end joint pivotally couples a lower suspension arm and the spindle assembly. A steering rod-end joint pivotally couples a first end of a steering rod with a leading-edge portion of the spindle assembly. A steering gear is coupled with a second end of the steering rod and configured to move the steering rod, such that the spindle assembly rotates with respect to the upper and lower suspension arms. The leading-edge portion is configured to exert primarily tensile forces on the steering rod during travel over rough terrain.

A steering column assembly for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle includes a first steering shaft operatively coupleable to a steering wheel, the first steering shaft and the steering wheel rotationally coupled to each other. Also included is a second steering shaft operatively coupled to the first steering shaft, the first and second steering shafts manually telescopingly movable relative to each other between an extended position and a retracted position, the first steering shaft disengaged from the second steering shaft in the retracted position and the first steering shaft engaged with the first steering shaft in the extended position, the retracted position rotationally decoupling.

The present invention provides embodiments of modified upper and lower control arms for attachment to the steering knuckle that came with the vehicle, or for attachment to a modified steering knuckle of an embodiment of the invention, such that the steering knuckle, and in particular the wheel hub opening of the steering knuckle, are located at positions that are closer to the front of the vehicle than the positions provided by the control arms that came with the vehicle. The forward position of the wheel hub relative to the position provided by the factory or stock control arms moves the wheel and tire forward by the same distance, thereby allowing much larger wheels and tires to be mounted on the vehicle which do not rub against or interfere with the wheel well, fender or body mount, thereby increasing the approach angle of the vehicle for use in off-road climbing.