Intermediate plate apparatus and related damper assemblies for use with vehicles

A damper assembly of a vehicle torque converter, comprising:

• a first spring member;
• a second spring member;
• an output portion coupled to a turbine and including an output tab configured to engage the first and second spring members;
• an input portion coupled to a piston of a clutch and including an input tab configured to engage the first and second spring members, the input portion rotatable relative to the output portion;
• and
• an intermediate portion rotatable relative to the output and input portions, a body of the intermediate portion including an inner radial portion, a central portion, and an outer radial portion that, together, form a spring cavity in which the first and second spring members are positioned, the inner and outer radial portions of the body configured to radially guide the first and second spring members.

A method of assembling a damper of a vehicle torque converter, comprising:

• aligning a spring member of the damper with an intermediate plate of the damper that is positioned radially outward relative to a retainer plate of the damper and a driven plate of the damper, the intermediate plate including a cavity configured to receive the spring member;
• bending the spring member;
• and
• guiding, via the intermediate plate, inner and outer radial portions of the spring member whereby opposite ends of the spring member engage an inner circumferential surface of the intermediate plate and a central area of the spring member engages an outer circumferential surface of the intermediate plate.