Provided is an outer tube including a solid-shaped male-shaft portion and a bottomed cylindrical female-tube portion integrally formed with the male shaft portion. A hole cover is externally fitted to the female-tube portion and closes a gap between a dash panel separating the vehicle cabin interior and the vehicle cabin exterior of a vehicle body and the outer tube. In an assembled state in the vehicle body, the solid male-shaft portion is arranged in the vehicle cabin exterior, and an opening portion of a slide hole provided in the female-tube portion is arranged in the vehicle cabin interior.

Provided is an outer tube including a solid-shaped male-shaft portion and a bottomed cylindrical female-tube portion integrally formed with the male shaft portion. A hole cover is externally fitted to the female-tube portion and closes a gap between a dash panel separating the vehicle cabin interior and the vehicle cabin exterior of a vehicle body and the outer tube. In an assembled state in the vehicle body, the solid male-shaft portion is arranged in the vehicle cabin exterior, and an opening portion of a slide hole provided in the female-tube portion is arranged in the vehicle cabin interior.

A steering shaft for a motor vehicle may include a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft. The hollow outer shaft may receive the inner shaft in a torque-transmitting manner and in an axially displaceable manner. An elastic boot may be connected to the inner shaft or the outer shaft. The steering shaft is protected against ingress of dirt and moisture and at the same time has a homogeneous displacement force and can be adjusted with low noise. The boot may be arranged at least partially within the steering shaft and may have a free end with a closed configuration.

A steering shaft for a motor vehicle may include a hollow outer shaft and an inner shaft. The hollow outer shaft may receive the inner shaft in a torque-transmitting manner and in an axially displaceable manner. An elastic boot may be connected to the inner shaft or the outer shaft. The steering shaft is protected against ingress of dirt and moisture and at the same time has a homogeneous displacement force and can be adjusted with low noise. The boot may be arranged at least partially within the steering shaft and may have a free end with a closed configuration.

A length-adjustable steering shaft may include a metallic hollow shaft with an opening in which a metallic inner shaft is accommodated rotatably-fixedly and in an axially movable manner. The steering shaft may also include a pull-out retention means with an outer stop that protrudes into an opening of the hollow shaft and an inner stop that protrudes outward from the inner shaft. The inner and outer stops may be formed from the metallic material of the hollow shaft or the inner shaft and may comprise stop surfaces that are directed toward each other in an axial direction. A layer of non-metallic material may be applied to at least one of the inner stop or the outer stop at least partially in a region of the stop surface.

A dust cap for a steering system is disclosed. A dust cap for a steering system, which has an accommodation hole for accommodating a pinion shaft and of which the lower part is coupled to a rack housing, according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a floor surface which extends from the upper part toward the outer side of the accommodation hole; a first rim forming a lateral wall on the edge of the floor surface; a second rim forming an intermediate wall between the first rim and the accommodation hole; and one or more slits insert-formed from the second rim toward the floor surface.

A dust cap for a steering system is disclosed. A dust cap for a steering system, which has an accommodation hole for accommodating a pinion shaft and of which the lower part is coupled to a rack housing, according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a floor surface which extends from the upper part toward the outer side of the accommodation hole; a first rim forming a lateral wall on the edge of the floor surface; a second rim forming an intermediate wall between the first rim and the accommodation hole; and one or more slits insert-formed from the second rim toward the floor surface.

A rack and pinion assembly for a steering assembly is disclosed. The rack and pinion assembly has: a housing; a rack disposed in the housing, the rack being translatable in the housing; a pinion engaging the rack for causing translation of the rack; and at least one rolling element connected to the rack. The at least one rolling element is translatable with the rack. The at least one rolling element rolls along an inner surface of the housing as the rack translates. A steering assembly having the rack and pinion assembly and a vehicle having the steering assembly are also disclosed.

A rack and pinion assembly for a steering assembly is disclosed. The rack and pinion assembly has: a housing; a rack disposed in the housing, the rack being translatable in the housing; a pinion engaging the rack for causing translation of the rack; and at least one rolling element connected to the rack. The at least one rolling element is translatable with the rack. The at least one rolling element rolls along an inner surface of the housing as the rack translates. A steering assembly having the rack and pinion assembly and a vehicle having the steering assembly are also disclosed.

An electric power steering apparatus according to the present embodiments comprises an input shaft connected to an steering shaft, a first output shaft coupled to the input shaft, a first gear provided at one end of the first output shaft, a second gear meshed with the first gear, a second output shaft provided with the second gear at one end and having an outer screw groove formed on an outer circumferential surface of a position spaced apart from the second gear in an axial direction and rotating in conjunction with the second gear, and a sliding member having an inner screw groove corresponding to the outer screw groove formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, coupled to the second output shaft via a ball, and sliding in an axial direction to operate a link connected to vehicle wheels.