Patent ID: 7520691
Filing Date: 2009-04-21
Classification: F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A stabilizer link or tie rod, comprising: a ball and stud; a housing with an outer surface and with an interior surface defining a ball cavity; a link rod connected to the housing; a race insert with housing liner surface engaging the housing interior surface and an interior ball race surface in contact with the ball and a housing end portion defining a closure interface with the housing; and a protective cap with a retainer surface extending over said closure interface and over said housing outer surface, said cap having a retaining surface portion engaging each of said housing and said rod, said retaining surface including a rod retaining surface extending over a majority of a periphery of said rod and with spaced apart ends forming a rod insertion gap that is smaller than a diameter of said rod to generate a snap in retaining function as said rod is moved through said rod insertion gap and is seated in said rod retaining surface, said cap being flexible to generate said snap in retaining function as said rod is moved through said rod insertion gap and is seated in said rod retaining surface, said retaining surface having an interruption substantially aligned with said rod retaining surface to define a cap flexure axis with said cap flexing such that said cap is seated with said retaining surface engaging said housing outer surface and said rod retaining surface engaging said rod, said rod insertion gap being located on one side of said housing, said interruption being located on another side of said housing, wherein said rod insertion gap is located opposite said interruption.