Steering damper to drag link attachment clamp and method

A steering linkage for use in an automotive vehicle comprising:

• a steering damper including a first end having a drag link attachment joint;
• a mounting bolt operatively engaging the drag link attachment joint and including a shank extending therefrom;
• a drag link assembly having a main drag link socket assembly including a main rod portion having a first end with a pocket and a second end having threads thereon, and a ball joint mounted in the pocket;
• a clamp including a curvilinear main body and a pair of spaced apart legs extending therefrom, the main body defining a rod receiving bore within which is mounted the main rod portion of the drag link socket assembly, the legs each including a mounting bolt hole through which the shank of the mounting bolt extends;
• and a weld securing the main body of the clamp to the main rod portion whereby the clamp is maintained at a predetermined axial location and rotational orientation on the main rod portion;
• and
• a nut operatively engaging the mounting bolt against a bias of the legs such that the legs are pulled closer together, causing the main body to apply a clamping load to the main rod portion.

A method for attaching a steering damper, having a drag link attachment joint, to a drag link assembly, having a main drag link socket assembly with a main rod portion, in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a clamp including a curvilinear main body and a pair of spaced apart legs extending therefrom, the main body defining a rod receiving bore adapted for receiving the main rod portion of the drag link socket assembly, with the legs each including a mounting bolt hole;
• mounting the main body of the clamp on the main rod portion at a predetermined axial location and rotational orientation;
• tack welding the main body of the clamp to the to the main rod portion at the predetermined axial location and rotational orientation;
• threadably engaging a first end of an adjuster sleeve of a drag link adjuster to the main rod portion;
• threadably engaging an opposed second end of the adjuster sleeve with an outer drag link socket assembly;
• preventing the main rod portion from rotating while rotating the adjuster sleeve to thereby axially move the main rod portion relative to the outer drag link socket assembly;
• engaging a mounting bolt with the drag link attachment joint;
• extending a shank of the mounting bolt through the mounting bolt holes of the clamp;
• and
• engaging a nut on the mounting bolt against a bias of the legs such that the legs are pulled closer together, causing the main body to apply a clamping load to the main rod portion.