Patent ID: 6250840
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
A tie rod end comprising:a metal stem having a first section and a second section, said first section being cylindrical in shape and defining an inner surface centered on a first axis, said inner surface being internally threaded to receive an externally threaded portion of a tie rod, said second section defining a first chamber, said first chamber being cylindrical and centered on a second axis which is transverse to the first axis, said first chamber having opposite open ends of equal diameter;a ball stud centered on the second axis, said ball stud having a ball end and a stud shaft;a plastic bearing in said first chamber and projecting through said opposite open ends of said first chamber, said plastic bearing including a tubular sleeve portion having a cylindrical outer surface, said cylindrical outer surface of said tubular sleeve portion being the radially outermost portion of said plastic bearing, said plastic bearing being press fit in said first chamber so that said cylindrical outer surface of said tubular sleeve portion is engaged by and encircled by said second section of said stem, said tubular sleeve portion having an open first end and a second end disposed opposite said first end, said stud shaft extending through said open first end of said tubular sleeve portion;said tubular sleeve portion including a second surface partially defining a second chamber in said tubular sleeve portion and centered on the second axis, said second surface engaging said ball end of said ball stud for relative sliding movement; andsaid plastic bearing further including a plastic plug member disposed in said second chamber, said plastic plug member being fixedly attached to said tubular sleeve portion and closing said second end of said tubular sleeve portion, said plastic plug member engaging said ball end of said ball stud for relative sliding movement.