Triple seat non-articulating idler arm socket

A non-oscillating joint assembly comprising:

• a bracket having a first end defined by a generally conical shaped tapered bearing portion;
• a flange located on said bracket above said tapered bearing and having upper and lower bearing surfaces;
• a generally cylindrical neck portion located adjacent to and above said flange;
• a socket member for receiving said bracket, said socket member including a cylindrical housing having an upper lip, a lower rim and a bore with a first diameter;
• a cap bearing received in said housing and having an outer diameter slightly greater than said first diameter and including an inner bore extending therethrough, said bore having a generally conical shaped tapered inner bearing surface for mating engagement with said tapered bearing portion of said bracket and wherein said cap bearing further includes an upper surface for contacting said flange lower bearing surface;
• an annular bearing received in said housing, adjacent said upper lip, said annular bearing surrounding said neck portion of said bracket and contacting said upper surface of said flange;
• a closure member located below said cap bearing and cooperating with said lower rim to prevent entry of dirt into said housing;
• and
• wherein said lower rim of said housing is at least partially deformed to provide an axial pre-load on said cap bearing and eliminate axial looseness in said bore;
• and
• wherein said flange is axially captured between said upper bearing surface of said cap bearing and a bottom bearing surface of said annular bearing such that said, flange axially preloads said cap bearing and said annular bearing.