| 摘要 |
A ball joint assembly (10) includes a housing (12) having a socket chamber (14) in which a ball end portion (18) of a movable stud member (16) is disposed. A shank portion (22) of the movable stud member (16) extends from the housing (12). An improved boot seal assembly (40) includes a flexible seal wall (48) having an inner end portion (50) which engages the housing (12) and an outer end portion (54) which engages the shank portion (22) of the stud member (16). The seal wall (48) cooperates with the housing (12) and the stud member (16) to form a chamber (42) in which lubricant (44) is disposed. A vent opening (70) is provided in the outer end portion (54) of the seal wall (48). A retainer ring (62) blocks the vent opening (70) in the outer end portion (54) of the seal wall (48) when the lubricant pressure in the chamber (42) is less than a predetermined pressure. When the lubricant pressure in the chamber (42) exceeds the predetermined pressure, the retainer ring (62) and the outer end portion (54) of the seal wall (48) move relative to each other under the influence of the lubricant pressure to vent pressure from the chamber (42) through the vent opening (70).
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