A steering assembly includes a pinion shaft. The steering assembly also includes a clamp yoke defining a central opening for axially receiving the pinion shaft and defining a counter bore for receiving a fastener that couples the pinion shaft to the yoke. The steering assembly further includes a blocking assembly fixed to the clamp yoke. The blocking assembly includes a resilient member having a first leg, a second leg and a connecting end. The blocking assembly also includes a blocking member coupled to the first leg and the second leg of the resilient member, the blocking member rotatable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position, the blocking position blocking the counter bore in an initial position and rotatable upon contact with the pinion shaft to be clear of the counter bore in the non-blocking position.

A steering shaft assembly comprising female shaft and a male shaft. The female shaft includes an inner surface defining a plurality of outer roller bearing tracks. The male shaft includes an outer surface defining a plurality of inner roller bearing tracks. An adaptable sleeve assembly is located between the inner surface of the female shaft and the outer surface of the male shaft and includes a body. The body defines an outer surface for contacting the inner surface of the female shaft and an inner surface for contacting the outer surface of the male shaft. The body defines at least one rib projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface of the body and projecting radially inwardly from the inner surface of the body. The at least one rib is inserted into one of the plurality of inner roller bearing tracks and one of the plurality of outer roller bearing tracks.

A vehicle steering system includes a rack shaft, a pinion shaft, a housing including a rack shaft receiving portion and a pinion shaft receiving portion, and a cover member disposed above the pinion shaft receiving portion. A part of the pinion shaft projects upward from an upper end opening of the pinion shaft receiving portion. The cover member includes a hood portion and an annular side wall portion. The pinion shaft is inserted through the hood portion. The side wall portion includes a valve portion capable of coming into abutment with an outer circumferential surface of the pinion shaft receiving portion.

A vehicle steering system includes a rack shaft, a pinion shaft, a housing including a rack shaft receiving portion and a pinion shaft receiving portion, and a cover member disposed above the pinion shaft receiving portion. A part of the pinion shaft projects upward from an upper end opening of the pinion shaft receiving portion. The cover member includes a hood portion and an annular side wall portion. The pinion shaft is inserted through the hood portion. The side wall portion includes a valve portion capable of coming into abutment with an outer circumferential surface of the pinion shaft receiving portion.

A center load rack and pinion steering mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a center load steering rack housing mounted to a vehicle frame, with a longitudinal slot through the front surface thereof, the slot being fitted with a bushing of a material that is resistant to damage from heat and bending. A pair of center link mounting bolts secure a center link and a center link pad to the rack wherein the center link pad extends through the bushing such that the upper and lower surfaces of the center link pad engage the upper and lower inner surfaces of the bushing, respectively, to prevent upward and downward movement and twisting of the center link and the center link pad relative to the rack in response to steered wheels of the vehicle contacting rough or uneven terrain while in use to prevent damage to components of the steering mechanism.

A center load rack and pinion steering mechanism is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a center load steering rack housing mounted to a vehicle frame, with a longitudinal slot through the front surface thereof, the slot being fitted with a bushing of a material that is resistant to damage from heat and bending. A pair of center link mounting bolts secure a center link and a center link pad to the rack wherein the center link pad extends through the bushing such that the upper and lower surfaces of the center link pad engage the upper and lower inner surfaces of the bushing, respectively, to prevent upward and downward movement and twisting of the center link and the center link pad relative to the rack in response to steered wheels of the vehicle contacting rough or uneven terrain while in use to prevent damage to components of the steering mechanism.

A modular power steering apparatus includes a rotatable shaft, which is selectively rotatable to effect turning movement of at least one vehicle wheel. A housing supports the rotatable shaft for rotation relative thereto, about a shaft axis. A first rotational input assembly is provided for transmitting a steering command from a steering member to the rotatable shaft. A second rotational input assembly is operatively connected with the rotatable shaft. The second rotational input assembly is configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft. The apparatus includes a plurality of drive stations. Each drive station is configured to selectively accept both of the first and second rotational input assemblies for operating connection to the rotatable shaft at different times.

A modular power steering apparatus includes a rotatable shaft, which is selectively rotatable to effect turning movement of at least one vehicle wheel. A housing supports the rotatable shaft for rotation relative thereto, about a shaft axis. A first rotational input assembly is provided for transmitting a steering command from a steering member to the rotatable shaft. A second rotational input assembly is operatively connected with the rotatable shaft. The second rotational input assembly is configured to apply a rotational force to the rotatable shaft. The apparatus includes a plurality of drive stations. Each drive station is configured to selectively accept both of the first and second rotational input assemblies for operating connection to the rotatable shaft at different times.

A steering assembly includes a pinion shaft. The steering assembly also includes a yoke defining a space for axially receiving the pinion shaft and defining an access path for receiving a fastener that couples the pinion shaft to the yoke. The steering assembly further includes an error-proofing device fixed to the yoke and having a deflectable portion blocking the access path in an initial position and deflectable upon contact with the pinion shaft to be clear of the access path in a final assembly position to ensure that the pinion shaft is assembled to the yoke at a predetermined axial position.

A method for determining a sensor offset of a sensor in a device, in particular in a steering system for a motor vehicle. The device has a first component, a second component which is movable with respect to the first component, a resetting element, an actuator and a sensor for determining the relative motion between the first component and the second component. The method comprises the following steps: firstly, a predetermined relative motion between the first component and the second component is generated by the actuator. The resulting relative motion is measured by means of the sensor, and the sensor data obtained from the measurement are stored. A constant sensor offset of the sensor is then determined on the basis of the stored sensor data. Furthermore, a device is described whose sensor offset can be determined by means of the method.