Split bearing assemblies, method for making

A method of making a split bearing assembly having a saddle-like main body with first and second legs and a removable saddle-like bearing cap with first and second legs having ends respectively secured in end-to-end engagement with mating ends of the first and second legs of said body to define a journal receiving opening, said method comprising the steps of:

• initially forming the bearing assembly body and cap integral with their mating leg ends integrally joined, said integral body and cap being in a relatively brittle condition, at least along generally predetermined split planes defining the leg ends on opposite sides of said opening, said body and cap having essentially their assembled final dimensions, with said opening being centered on an axis lying within said main body and said cap, generally between said split planes, and
• separating the cap from the main body by fracturing the integral legs generally along said split planes on opposite sides of said opening to form said legs of the saddle-like cap and body, said first and second legs of the cap and body comprising respectively first and second pairs mateable along said split planes,
• wherein the fracturing step is accomplished by forcing the cap and main body linearly and longitudinally apart while continuously applying a damping force to said cap and main body, thereby restraining said cap and main body against any substantial relative rotation, thereby fracturing and separating the ends of both said pairs of integral legs at their respective split planes in one essentially linear separating motion of the cap from the main body,
• thereby avoiding bending of the legs at the split planes and producing mating fracture surfaces on engaging legs edges to provide the capability of mating reassembly without substantial dimensional change.