METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURE OF A FORGED RACK

摘要

A method of manufacturing a steering rack bar (6) by forging, the method comprising the steps of placing a heated cylindrical rack bar (6) in a first forging die (15) and forging a first toothed portion (37) at one end thereof; removing the rack bar; heating the rack bar at or near the other end of said rack; and placing the other end of the rack bar in a second forging die and forging a second toothed portion (39) wherein, prior to forging the second toothed portion, the rack bar is axially and angularly aligned to a predetermined axial location and angularly orientated utilising the first toothed portion or features at or near the one end of the rack bar as a datum, and placed and held in the predetermined axial location and angular orientation prior to forging of the second toothed portion.