The disclosure proposes a method for ascertaining and/or monitoring a mechanical state of at least one tie rod apparatus of an electrically assisted steering system of a vehicle, wherein at least one operating characteristic variable, which is correlated to a steering movement, of at least one steering actuator and/or of at least one steering controller of the steering system is ascertained and evaluated for ascertaining and/or for monitoring the mechanical state of the tie rod apparatus.

The disclosure proposes a method for ascertaining and/or monitoring a mechanical state of at least one tie rod apparatus of an electrically assisted steering system of a vehicle, wherein at least one operating characteristic variable, which is correlated to a steering movement, of at least one steering actuator and/or of at least one steering controller of the steering system is ascertained and evaluated for ascertaining and/or for monitoring the mechanical state of the tie rod apparatus.

A drag link guide assembly for guiding a drag link comprises a slide bushing and a housing enclosing the slide bushing. The housing comprises a socket portion, into which the slide bushing is inserted. The slide bushing comprises a locating area for the drag link having a substantially circular cylindrical periphery with at least one plane torsional locking face. The slide bushing comprises an outward-pointing structure, which interacts with a mating structure that is provided on the internal surface of the housing. A method for producing a drag link guide assembly is furthermore described.

A drag link guide assembly for guiding a drag link comprises a slide bushing and a housing enclosing the slide bushing. The housing comprises a socket portion, into which the slide bushing is inserted. The slide bushing comprises a locating area for the drag link having a substantially circular cylindrical periphery with at least one plane torsional locking face. The slide bushing comprises an outward-pointing structure, which interacts with a mating structure that is provided on the internal surface of the housing. A method for producing a drag link guide assembly is furthermore described.

In a power steering system employing an end of travel system including valve actuating rings disposed about a Pitman arm shaft, a device is provided for setting the positions of the rings on the shaft. The device includes a fixed member positioned about, and fixed against movement along, a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the shaft's rotational axis and a movable member that moves along the longitudinal axis relative to the fixed member. The movable member defines a pin at one end configured for engagement with the circumferential ends of the actuating rings. A positioning force applied to one of the members causes the movable member to move between set and reset positions in which the pin engages corresponding ends of the actuating rings during rotation of the shaft and a running position in which the pin remains disengaged from the ends of the actuating ring during rotation of the shaft.

In a power steering system employing an end of travel system including valve actuating rings disposed about a Pitman arm shaft, a device is provided for setting the positions of the rings on the shaft. The device includes a fixed member positioned about, and fixed against movement along, a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the shaft's rotational axis and a movable member that moves along the longitudinal axis relative to the fixed member. The movable member defines a pin at one end configured for engagement with the circumferential ends of the actuating rings. A positioning force applied to one of the members causes the movable member to move between set and reset positions in which the pin engages corresponding ends of the actuating rings during rotation of the shaft and a running position in which the pin remains disengaged from the ends of the actuating ring during rotation of the shaft.

A method for a steer axle knuckle of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises welding a steer arm and a tie rod arm to a knuckle body by linear friction welding. The method further includes, in one example, pairing a plurality of first contact surfaces of the knuckle body and a plurality of steer arm contact surfaces of the steer arm prior to the welding; pairing a plurality of second contact surfaces of the knuckle body and a plurality of tie rod arm contact surfaces of the tie rod arm prior to the welding. Each of the plurality of first contact surfaces, second contact surfaces, steer arm contact surfaces, tie rod arm contact surfaces is machined prior to the welding.

A method for a steer axle knuckle of a vehicle is provided. The method comprises welding a steer arm and a tie rod arm to a knuckle body by linear friction welding. The method further includes, in one example, pairing a plurality of first contact surfaces of the knuckle body and a plurality of steer arm contact surfaces of the steer arm prior to the welding; pairing a plurality of second contact surfaces of the knuckle body and a plurality of tie rod arm contact surfaces of the tie rod arm prior to the welding. Each of the plurality of first contact surfaces, second contact surfaces, steer arm contact surfaces, tie rod arm contact surfaces is machined prior to the welding.

An embodiment independent corner module includes a knuckle unit positioned on an inner side surface of a wheel, a steering unit disposed to face a strut coupled to the knuckle unit, the steering unit having a center shaft configured to be fixed to a vehicle body and configured to rotate about the center shaft, a guide rail configured to define a movement path through which the steering unit rotates and moves, and a rack steering unit positioned in the steering unit, fastened to the knuckle unit, and configured to apply rotating force to the knuckle unit in response to a movement in a longitudinal direction.

An embodiment independent corner module includes a knuckle unit positioned on an inner side surface of a wheel, a steering unit disposed to face a strut coupled to the knuckle unit, the steering unit having a center shaft configured to be fixed to a vehicle body and configured to rotate about the center shaft, a guide rail configured to define a movement path through which the steering unit rotates and moves, and a rack steering unit positioned in the steering unit, fastened to the knuckle unit, and configured to apply rotating force to the knuckle unit in response to a movement in a longitudinal direction.