Axial joints are used only in rackand- pinion steering systems and must guarantee large angular travels of as much as 60° in mostly short steering tie rods. To ensure an adequate overlap between ball socket and housing collar, ball diameters > 23 mm must be provided. This configuration allows maximum axial tension forces of 25 kN. In practice, three different types of design are used:
1. Casing with internal thread for bolting onto the steering tie rod, and ball stud pin with external thread to bolt into the steering rack.
2. Casing with threaded stud pin for bolting into the steering rack, and extruded ball at the end of the rack.
3. Casing with threaded bore for bolting onto the steering rack, and extruded ball at the end of the rack. |
