A fastening system has a fastening element and at least one fastening device having a flanged housing, a closure element, a hollow-sphere element and a spherical insert. The hollow-sphere element pivots about a first pivoting axis relative to the flanged housing, while the spherical insert pivots about a second pivoting axis in the hollow-sphere element. First engagement means in an opening of the spherical insert are of complementary design to second engagement means of the fastening element. The first and second engagement means are designed such that, in a first rotational position, the fastening element can be inserted freely into the opening and, in a second rotational position, the first and second engagement means engage in one another.

A socket grommet formed from fiber-reinforced material, for attaching a stud pin with a head portion to a bracket, includes a body member; a first supporting member for supporting one side of the head portion; and second supporting members for supporting another side of the head portion. The first supporting member includes a supporting portion on one side of the body member and connecting portions connecting the supporting portion to the body member. Each connecting portion includes a breaking portion having a thickness less than a remaining portion thereof to be breakable upon a predetermined force. Each second supporting member includes a first connecting piece extending from the body member to another side of the body member, and a second connecting piece extending from the first connecting piece to the one side of the body member and having a supporting piece for contacting the another side of the head portion.

A work vehicle includes a chassis defining a longitudinal axis, a prime mover configured to move the chassis in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and a steering assembly configured to pivot a wheel relative to the chassis. The steering assembly includes a knuckle coupled to the wheel, a tie rod coupled to the knuckle and having a ball portion, a steering cylinder, and a joint assembly. The steering cylinder is slidably coupled to the chassis and configured to translate relative to the chassis along a cylinder axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The steering cylinder includes a connection portion having an inner circumferential surface that partially defines a bearing pocket. The joint assembly couples the ball portion to the connection portion and includes a bearing race that is received into the bearing pocket in direct contact with the inner circumferential surface. The bearing race receives the ball portion.

A ball joint with variable friction resistance for a vehicle, the joint having a stud with a joint ball which is held in a housing so as to articulate relative thereto. The housing comprises movable and static housing parts that are movable relative to one another and engage on opposite sides of the ball. A transmission is moved by one housing part so as to exert a variable pressure on the ball. The transmission has axially aligned transmission elements, each of which has a helical ball track. The transmission elements axially rest against one another via balls that are guided between the ball tracks of the transmission elements. A first transmission element can move axially and contact the movable housing part. A second transmission element can rotate about the rotational axis which causes the first transmission element to move axially and exert an axial force on the movable housing part.

A method of determining an amount of wear in a spherical working surface of a bearing ring of a spherical plain bearing, the method including providing a reference groove of predetermined depth in an unworn working surface, using the reference groove and axial end faces of the bearing ring as reference surfaces for centering and aligning a measuring tool. The tool having a first surface, and a protrusion that extends from the first surface in radial direction and is adapted to fit into the reference groove and two or more radial openings that extend from a second surface of the tool. Determining the amount of wear by measuring the radial distance to the spherical working surface through each of the radial openings and comparing the measured value with a reference value measured using the tool for an unworn working surface comprising a reference groove of the same predetermined depth.

An extension-retraction link includes: a stationary shaft having a tubular shape; a first universal joint that connects the stationary shaft to a vehicle body side member; a movable shaft that can slide with respect to the stationary shaft; a second universal joint that connects the movable shaft to a hub carrier; and an actuator that moves the movable shaft. The movable shaft includes: a first plane surface; a second plane surface making an angle with respect to the first plane surface; a third plane surface opposite the first plane surface; and a fourth plane surface opposite the second plane surface. The stationary shaft includes: first to fourth bushes in contact with the first to fourth plane surfaces, respectively; a first elastic member pressing the third bush to the third plane surface; and a second elastic member pressing the fourth bush to the fourth plane surface.

A ball joint assembly includes a ball including an outer surface and a recess in the outer surface, a cup including an inner surface and a protrusion on the inner surface, and a sensor programmed to detect friction between the cup and the ball from the protrusion engaging the recess.

The pivot joint assembly includes a housing with an opening which extends along an axis. A bearing is received in the opening and which has a cylindrical outer surface that is in slidable contact with another surface so that the bearing can slide in an axial direction relative to the housing. The bearing has a curved inner bearing surface. The pivot joint assembly also includes an inner ring with a curved outer surface that is in slidable contact with the curved inner bearing surface of the bearing so that the inner ring can rotate and articulate relative to the housing.

A swivel foot screw assembly that includes an adjustment screw with an elongated shape that is mounted in a cap. A cap ring is mounted to the cap and maintains the adjustment screw secured to the cap. The adjustment screw is pivotally connected to the cap to be movable within a pivot envelope.

A radial ball joint (1, 50, 70) for a vehicle having a housing (2, 51) for holding a joint ball (11) of a ball stud (6) so that the ball stud can rotate and pivot. An upper bearing shell (7), made from a steel sheet, is arranged between an inside wall (10) of the housing (2, 51) and the joint ball (11). The upper bearing shell (7) is in contact with the joint ball (11) over a contact zone (21) to provide the joint ball (11) with a circumferential slide bearing between its equator (12) and its upper pole (13). The upper bearing shell (7) is in the form of an annular, circumferentially closed drawn component and has in the contact zone (21) with the joint ball (11). A number of lubrication grooves (14), pass through a wall (20) of the upper bearing shell (7), in an embossment manner.