The present invention generally relates to vehicular steering systems. The present invention more specifically relates to various embodiments of a device which supports pitman arms and idler arms of center link steering systems.
In conventional vehicle steering systems (as opposed to rack and pinion systems), the steering wheel is connected to the steering box by a steering column. The steering box has an arm attached to the output shaft called a pitman arm. The pitman arm is connected to one end of the center link, also referred to as the drag link. At the other end of the center link is an idler arm. When actuated by the steering box, the pitman arm moves the center link in a lateral path. Inner tie-rods are attached to either end of the center link. The inner tie-rods are connected to outer tie-rods which are connected to steering knuckles which turn the front wheels of the vehicle. The pitman arm and idler arm are each attached to the center link with a pivot stud. The pivot stud typically comprises a ball end which is enclosed within a sealed housing of the pitman arm or idler arm, allowing rotation of the pivot stud within the housing.
Lateral motion (as defined below) of the pivot stud can result in excessive wear of the ball of the pivot stud, thereby causing sloppy and inaccurate steering response and precluding proper alignment of the front wheels of the vehicle resulting in accelerated tire wear. The known solution to the wear in the pivot stud joint is to replace the pitman arm and idler arm. However, this solution can be expensive. In addition, in some vehicles, the pivot stud joint wears rapidly, requiring frequent replacement of the pitman arm and idler arm to prevent inaccurate steering response and tire wear.