Trw Steering Systems Japan Co. Ltd.

Toshio Takagi

A method for fastening an input shaft and a torsion bar together in a power steering mechanism, and the associated torsion bar. A ball-receiving hole is bored in the end of the torsion bar. The end of the torsion bar is inserted into a bore in the input shaft and a ball is pressed into the hole to provide an interference fit between the shaft and the bar. Subsequently, the peripheral edge of the hole in the torsion bar is elliptically deformed so as to retain the ball in the hole and the bar in the shaft. Since a portion of the opening is slightly diametrically broadened by the ball, the periphery of the portion closely contacts the inner wall of the input shaft, thereby strengthening the connection between the torsion bar and the input shaft.

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Nagoya, Japan

Toshio Takagi