METHOD OF MAKING A BEARING STRUCTURE AND BEARING SO MADE

摘要

A steel inner tube (40) and thermoplastic outer tube (42) are placed in an injection mold apparatus and a thermoplastic intermediate tube (44) is molded between the inner (40) and outer (42) tubes. The intermediate tube (44) shrink fit locks to the inner (40) tube and shrinks relative to the outer tube (42) to provide a selected journal-bearing torque relation therebetween. Projections and mating recesses (62) on the inner tube (40) and intermediate tube (44) facilitate locking the intermediate tube (44) to the inner tube (40) without adhesives or other bonding agents. One or more thrust rings (58) and recesses (66) are formed on the mating surfaces of the outer tube (42) and intermediate tube (44) to preclude axial relative displacement therebetween in response to axial thrust loads. An elastomeric tubular member (46) (or other known bushing construction) is secured over the outer tube (42) and an outer steel tube (48) is over the elastomeric member (46) to provide an enhanced control arm bushing with a predetermined torque response for automotive suspension systems.