Shaft assembly with recirculating ball roller joint unit

摘要

A shaft assembly (10) with recirculating ball roller joint unit (16) for use with an automotive steering column or the like has an inner shaft extending lengthwise within an outer shaft. A recirculating ball joint is provided between the shafts (12,14). The ball joint includes a shell assembly having two shells (30,32) which together surround the inner shaft (14). Each shell has an outer cage, an inner cage and a retainer defining ball races, with balls recirculating in the races in rolling engagement with the inner shaft.