Patent ID: 6209183
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: B25B,Y10T

Abstract:
A tool for installing a bushing into a housing of a rack and pinion steering system, the housing having an end portion that includes a ring-shaped bushing chamber and a circular opening that leads into the bushing chamber, the opening having a first diameter and the bushing chamber having a second diameter greater than the first diameter of the circular opening, the bushing being radially compressible between a first, fully expanded state and a second, fully compressed state, the bushing when in the bushing chamber being partially expanded, said tool comprising:a plunger having a first portion with an outer surface having a diameter that is less than the first diameter of the opening in the housing;said first portion of said plunger having a circumferential groove defined by a pair of annular end surfaces extending radially inward from said outer surface and a cylindrical base surface extending axially between said end surfaces at a location radially inward of said outer surface;said groove receiving the bushing during installation of the bushing in the housing, said annular end surfaces of said groove blocking axial movement of said bushing along said first portion of said plunger while the bushing is on said plunger; anda sleeve slidable along said first portion of said plunger to radially compress the bushing and hold the bushing in said groove during installation of the bushing in the housing;said sleeve having an internal cam surface for radially compressing the bushing into said groove during installation of the bushing in the housing.