Beveled snap ring for rack electric power steering system

Abstract

A vehicle steering assembly includes a rack which is translatable and disposed within a rack housing. The vehicle steering assembly also includes a pinion shaft operatively coupled to the rack. The vehicle steering assembly further includes a bearing in contact with the pinion shaft and disposed within the rack housing. The vehicle steering assembly yet further includes a snap ring partially disposed within a groove defined by the rack housing, the snap ring in contact with the bearing in a first condition, the snap ring having an ear portion defining a hole, wherein the snap ring is moveable from the first condition to a second condition, the first condition pressing the bearing to hold the bearing in place, the second condition allowing the bearing to be removed from the rack housing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.