Patent ID: 6290396
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: B62D,F16C

Abstract:
A motor vehicle steering assembly comprising:an elongate metal steering shaft having a predetermined hardness;a tubular housing enclosing a portion of the length of said steering shaft and defining a radial gap between said steering shaft and said tubular housing, said tubular housing being adapted to be fixed to the frame of a motor vehicle; andat least one sleeve bearing interposed between said steering shaft and said tubular housing for rotatably supporting the steering shaft, said bearing comprising a tubular sleeve and an integral external flange formed at one end thereof wherein said sleeve bearing is positioned so that the flange engages an associated end of the tubular housing and the tubular sleeve substantially closes said radial gap at least along a portion of said steering shaft, said at least one sleeve bearing being formed of a polymeric material having a predetermined hardness which is substantially less than the predetermined hardness of said steering shaft wherein in the event abrasive foreign matter enters between the steering shaft and the sleeve bearing, the sleeve bearing will be deformed and binding between the steering shaft and the bearing is thereby precluded.