Federal-mogul Motorparts Corporation

Andrew Louis Auquier

Glen C Parker

James J Elterman

Thomas J Byrnes, Jr

Dustin Schrieber

Steven Douglas Schmitt

One aspect of the present invention is related to a ball socket assembly that includes a housing with an inner bore and at least one open end. The ball socket assembly also includes a ball stud which is partially received in the inner bore of the housing. An exit bearing supports the ball stud and is positioned in the inner bore adjacent the at least one open end. The exit bearing includes a plastic piece and a metal piece which are connected with one another. The metal piece has a semi-conical shape. The housing is deformed adjacent the at least one open end to capture the exit bearing within the inner bore. In operation, the metal piece reinforces the plastic piece to transfer forces between the ball stud and the housing.

Socket assembly with a retention device

A ball socket assembly, dust boot assembly therefor, and method of construction thereof are provided. The ball socket assembly includes a housing with an inner bore extending along a central axis. A bearing is disposed in the inner bore. A ball portion of a ball stud is disposed in sliding engagement with the bearing and a shank portion extends outwardly from the housing. A dust boot assembly having a tubular wall extends along the central axis between a distal end disposed about the shank portion and a proximal end in sealed engagement with the housing. The dust boot proximal end has an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the central axis. The annular flange has a cylindrical outer surface, a lower surface and an upper shoulder. An annular metal ring is disposed about and substantially encapsulates the cylindrical outer surface, lower surface and upper shoulder of the annular flange.

Ball socket assembly, dust boot therefor and method of construction thereof

A sway bar linkage assembly includes a socket joint, a shank extending from the socket joint, a bolt, and a bushing. The shank has a first bore with a first bore diameter and a second bore extending between the first bore and the socket joint. The second bore has a second bore diameter less than the first bore diameter such that a flange extends between the first bore and the second bore. The bolt has a head, a shaft extending from the head and a stud extending between the shaft is included. The shaft has a first diameter and the stud has second diameter less than the first diameter such that a ledge extends between the shaft and the stud. The bushing is compressed a predefined by the bolt when the bolt extends through the bushing and the ledge of the bolt abuts against the flange of the shank.

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Shelby Township, MI, United States of America

Andrew Louis Auquier