Concentric Knurl Ball Joint

摘要

A replacement ball joint assembly (10) adapted to be pressed into a previously used and possibly distorted receiving hole (26) in a suspension component such as a control arm (28). A socket housing (12) of the assembly (10) includes a plurality of generally annular, concentric knurls (36) each having a respective crest portion (38) and separated one from another by intervening relief grooves (40). The crest portions (38) of the knurls (36) may be tapered so as to provide a lead-in feature to minimize misalignment during a press-in installation operation. The knurls (36) are preferably softer than the control arm material so that they yield during press-in rather than further disfiguring or enlarging the receiving hole (26). Displaced material from the crest portions (38) of the knurls (36) flows into the relief grooves (40).

主权项

1. A method for replacing a ball joint assembly in a vehicle suspension component, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a vehicle suspension component having a worn-out ball joint assembly lodged in a generally cylindrically shaped receiving hole; removing the worn-out ball joint assembly from the suspension component to expose the cylindrical receiving hole; providing a replacement ball joint assembly having an exterior side wall with a lead-in end and an axially spaced exterior stop flange; forming a plurality of generally annular knurls about the exterior side wall, each knurl having a crest portion establishing an outer diameter, a plurality of the knurls adjacent the lead-in end having a smaller outer diameter than a last knurl adjacent the stop flange, and with each knurl being separated from the next adjacent knurl with an intervening groove; and forcibly pressing the replacement ball joint assembly into the exposed cylindrical receiving hole in the suspension component while simultaneously displacing crest material from at least one of the knurls into an immediately adjacent relief groove.