Patent ID: 6568698
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A rack-pinion steering apparatus comprising:a pinion connected to a steering shaft; a rack meshed with said pinion; a cylindrical housing in which said rack is inserted; an end cap inserted into one end of said housing with said rack inserted in said housing; and a cir-clip interposed between a first annular groove formed in an outer periphery of said end cap and a second annular groove which is opposite to said first annular groove and which is formed in said housing, said cir-clip being provided at an end thereof with (i) an inwardly bent curved portion having a tip and (ii) a linear portion linearly extending inwardly from said tip of said curved portion, wherein said tip always engages said first annular groove in said end cap at its bottom, said cir-clip being arranged to prevent said end cap from being moved axially of said housing, wherein said curved portion of said cir-clip in a free state has a curvature radius that is smaller than the curvature radius of said first annular groove of said end cap.