Patent ID: 7484743

Claim:
A damping system for use with a steering system having a steering gear and a tie rod which moves toward and away from the steering gear to cause movement of a vehicle wheel, the system comprising: a boot defining a working chamber, the boot having a first portion connected to the steering gear and a second portion connected to the tie rod such that movement of the tie rod toward the steering gear reduces the volume of the working chamber and movement of the tie rod away from the steering gear increases the volume of the working chamber; an inertia track having a first end in fluid communication with the working chamber of the boot and an opposed second end; a collection chamber in fluid communication with the second end of the inertia track; a fluid disposed in the working chamber, the inertia track, and at least a portion of the collection chamber; and a compliant tuning member in fluid communication with the working chamber, the tuning member being movable to accommodate high frequency changes in the volume of the working chamber.