Swivel foot lash adjuster

Abstract

A valve actuation assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed in which a rotatable rocker arm assembly is actuated by an engine driven camshaft to move a poppet valve reciprocably. The rocker arm assembly includes a hydraulic lash adjuster for disposition between the rocker arm and the valve stem. The lash adjuster includes an actuator at one end having an axially extending neck which terminates in an enlarged head. The enlarged head engages a foot assembly which includes a disk having a socket in which the head is positioned. Retention of the foot member to the enlarged head is through an interference between the perimeter of the enlarged head portion and the socket opening which is defined by a radially inwardly extending flange. Assembly of the foot member onto the enlarged head portion of the lash adjuster body is through a differential heat and/or cooling of the components which causes the interference to be temporarily eliminated through thermal expansion and/or contraction of the two components allowing the head portion to be inserted into the socket. Following assembly, the thermal differential is eliminated and the interference is re-established, permanently fixing the foot member to the lash adjuster body.