Method of manufacturing a splined member having a coating of a material applied thereto

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a splined member having a coating of a material applied thereto minimizes the amount of undesirable backlash and broken back when the splined member is assembled with another splined member, such as to form a slip joint. A first splined member, such as a male splined slip yoke shaft having a coating of a low friction material, is provided having splines that include major diameter portions and side portions. The first splined member is supported on an apparatus including a turning tool and a broaching tool. The turning tool is initially operated to engage and remove portions of the coating provided on the major diameter portions of the splines of the splined member. Then, the broaching tool is operated to engage and remove portions of the coating provided on the side portions of the splines of the splined member. As a result, when the first splined member is assembled with a corresponding second splined member to form a slip joint, the amount of broken back and backlash therebetween is minimized.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.