Dana Corporation

Wayne M Winkler

Garth B Maughan

Anthony S Szumiesz

An improved dust boot accommodates a ball and socket joint subject to high articulation under harsh environmental conditions of moisture and corrosive contaminants. The improved boot is capable of accommodating articulation of an associated ball stud up to 60 degrees from the rotational center of the joint, as well as twisting motions of the stud of at least 45 degrees. The dust boot includes multiple undulations that feature a series of convolutions or deep folds. In one example, the boot contains at least one undulation that includes two pairs of radially extending ribs so as to present a fully convoluted bulbous loop, complete with reverse bends to maximize amount of material available for stretching when the stud is articulated to high angles. The bulbous loop not only provides for up to 60 degrees of stud articulation but also provides at least 45 degrees of twisting motion without potential deleterious effects.

High articulation dust boot for ball joint

An aftermarket retrofit kit is used to prepare control arm bosses of automotive suspension systems to receive new, replacement ball joints. The kit includes a special cutting tool for forming obtuse threads in the apertures of aluminum suspension system mounting bosses for replacement of spent or used steel ball joints originally pressed-fit into forged aluminum control and steering arms. Since unthreaded apertures of bosses of control and steering arm joints in which the original pressed fitted equipment ball joints may be threaded to receive the new joints, avoidance of having to replace expensive original control and steering arms is made possible by the reuse of such arm parts normally discarded. A separate alignment block is included to assure accurate piloting of the cutting tool. Threading of the control arm bosses can be done on or off of the vehicle, and separate kits are provided for upper and lower control arms.

Growing community of inventors

Berkey, OH, United States of America

Wayne M Winkler