A re-useable, easily removable tool pin features a non-stick outer surface with a harder inner core configured to be gripped by a removal tool for extraction of the tool pin, without damage, from a mold and from composite plies that may have cured in contact with the tool pin. The tool pin prevents insertion into the mold such that the extractor tool is not attachable to the tool pin. A system includes the tool pin, a mold for forming a molded part, the mold having holes for insertion of tool pins, and an extractor tool adapted to grip the tool pin for removal from the mold and molded part. The extractor tool can be ergonomically designed for easy removal of the tool pin by hand. Such tool pins are adapted for production of parts from composite materials in many industries, including aerospace, automotive, transportation, agricultural, and energy.

The invention herein comprises a kit and method that may be used to replace damaged and worn stabilizer bearings in both the Echo and Delta Apache helicopter. The kit includes a removal assembly that includes a bolt coupled to a cutting mechanism. Tightening of the bolt causes the cutting mechanism to cut the damaged and worn bearing from its housing. A staking mechanism is disclosed that allows the staking of a replacement bearing in the housing is provided. The staking assembly joins the replacement bearing to the housing so that it is tight. And, an installation assembly is disclosed that utilizes the bolt utilized in the cutting mechanism coupled to a hex nut.

A bushing assembly comprises a flanged bushing including a flange portion including a flange anti-rotation feature, and a shaft portion with an outer cylindrical surface extending from the flange portion, terminating at a free end, the outer cylindrical surface including external threads disposed proximate the free end, and a retaining ring including an annular configuration defining an inner cylindrical surface defining internal threads complimentarily shaped to mate with the external threads of the outer cylindrical surface.

A bushing assembly comprises a flanged bushing including a flange portion including a flange anti-rotation feature, and a shaft portion with an outer cylindrical surface extending from the flange portion, terminating at a free end, the outer cylindrical surface including external threads disposed proximate the free end, and a retaining ring including an annular configuration defining an inner cylindrical surface defining internal threads complimentarily shaped to mate with the external threads of the outer cylindrical surface.

A tool includes an operative rod, a guiding rod, a conveying screw and two detaching elements. The guiding rod includes a middle section connected to the operative rod and two terminal sections extending from the middle section. The conveying screw includes two threaded sections. Threads of the threaded sections extend in opposite directions. Each of the detaching elements includes a fixing aperture and a screw hole. The fixing aperture receives a corresponding one of the terminal sections of the guiding rod. The screw hole receives a corresponding one of the threaded sections of the conveying screw. Thus, the detaching elements are moved toward each other when the conveying screw is rotated in a first direction and that the detaching elements are moved from each other when the conveying screw is rotated in a second direction.

A method for preloading a bearing includes releasably, threadably, and directly attaching an attaching member to a circumferential outside surface of an exposed end of a threaded shaft of an axle or spindle. A frame is axially separated from, and coupled to, the attaching member. A plurality of extensions extends from the frame axially past the attaching member toward the wheel hub assembly. An adjustment mechanism moves the frame and the plurality of extensions axially towards the wheel hub assembly to contact the wheel hub assembly and/or the bearing to apply a preload to the bearing within the wheel hub assembly.

An installation tool for installing a seal includes a shaft and a seal-engaging component coupled with the shaft. During an installation of the seal, the seal-engaging component is adapted to couple with the seal. The seal-engaging component includes a first surface and a second surface. The seal-engaging component also includes a first annular ring extending from the first surface and adapted to engage with the seal for coupling the seal with the seal-engaging component. The seal-engaging component further includes a second annular ring extending from the first surface. The installation tool also includes a sliding hammer adapted to slide along a length of the shaft. During the installation of the seal, the sliding hammer is adapted to apply a force to the seal-engaging component for installing the seal at a seal installation location.

A bushing displacing system comprising an engaging member and a brace member. The engaging member is configured to engage the brace assembly to displace the engaging member in the displacement direction and at least a portion of the bushing assembly to displace at least a portion of the bushing assembly in the displacement direction. The brace member is adapted to engage the brace assembly and the structural member. Operation of the actuator displaces at least one of the brace assembly and the engaging member in the displacement direction relative to the structural member such that the engaging member displaces at least a portion of the bushing assembly towards a desired position relative to the housing opening in the structural member.

A bushing displacing system comprising an engaging member and a brace member. The engaging member is configured to engage the brace assembly to displace the engaging member in the displacement direction and at least a portion of the bushing assembly to displace at least a portion of the bushing assembly in the displacement direction. The brace member is adapted to engage the brace assembly and the structural member. Operation of the actuator displaces at least one of the brace assembly and the engaging member in the displacement direction relative to the structural member such that the engaging member displaces at least a portion of the bushing assembly towards a desired position relative to the housing opening in the structural member.

A method of manufacturing a vehicle suspension component includes inserting a cover body into an aperture of a housing, the cover body being disposed about a central axis concentric with the aperture of the housing, the cover body having a convex side and a concave side and an outer perimeter disposed about the central axis, the cover body defining a threaded bore concentric with the central axis, and deforming the cover body into retaining engagement with the housing by pressing against the convex side until the cover body is at least partial deformed and the outer perimeter is expanded compared to a pre-deformed state of the cover body.