PRELOADED TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY

摘要

PRELOADED TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY A preloaded tie rod end assembly for a motor vehicle steering system and the method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end is made by positioning first and second frangible bearings against the ball of a ball stud and enclosing the ball and bearings in first and second housings each of which has a socket part and a stem part. A plastically deformable element is also situated within the socket formed by the two socket parts. The two housings are held together under a compressive load while their abutting edges are butt welded. The imposition of this load during the welding operation causes the frangible bearings to each fracture into a plurality of self-aligning bearing pieces. The deformable element is plastically deformed by exerting a force on the ball stud whereby a portion of the preload of the joint is relieved. The preload is relieved to the extent necessary to bring the frictional resistance to rotation of the ball stud within a prescribed torque range.