Steering linkage and method for producing same

A vehicle steering linkage comprising:

• a first member having a threaded first end and a second end, the threaded first end provided with a radially extending slot formed through at least a portion of the threads of the threaded first end thereof and the second end configured to support a first ball joint;
• a second member having a threaded first end and a second end, the threaded first end provided with a radially extending slot formed through at least a portion of the threads of the threaded first end thereof and the second end configured to support a second ball joint;
• and
• only a one-piece alignment member is disposed within the slots provided in the threaded first ends of the first and second members to thereby operatively couple together the first and second members in a predetermined orientation relative to one another and thereby position the first and second ball joints in a predetermined orientation relative to one another;
• wherein each of the slots provided in the threaded first ends of the first and second members terminates in a closed inner end surface;
• wherein the alignment member is a non-yielding member separate and distinct from the first and second members and has a first end and an opposite second end;
• wherein the first end of the third member is fully inserted into one of the slots of the first and second members in contact with the closed inner end surface of the one of the slots and is secured therein in a fixed manner and therein with no gap between the first end thereof the third member and the closed inner end surface of the one of the openings slots of the first and second members;
• and
• wherein the second end of the third member is disposed in a slip-fit manner in the other one of the slots of the first and second members and with the second end the third member spaced apart from contact with the closed inner end surface of the other one of the first and second slots of the first and second members by a predetermined clearance distance to allow for adjustability of the first and second members.

A method of assembly of a vehicle steering linkage comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a first member having a threaded first end and a second end;
• (b) providing a second member having a threaded first end and a second end;
• and
• (c) providing only a one piece third member configured to operatively couple together the first member and the second member together at the first ends thereof, wherein the third member couples together the first ends in a predetermined orientation relative to one another to thereby position the second ends in a predetermined orientation relative to one another;
• wherein the threaded first ends of the first and second members each has a radially extending slot formed through at least a portion of the threads of the threaded first end thereof, each of the slots terminating in a closed inner end surface;
• wherein in the step (c) the third member is a non-yielding member separate and distinct from the first and second members and has a first end and an opposite second end;
• wherein in the step (c) the first end of the third member is fully inserted into one of the slots of the first and second members in contact with the closed inner end surface of the one of the slots and is secured therein in a fixed manner therein with no gap between the first end of the third member and the closed inner end surface of the one of the slots of the first and second members;
• and
• wherein in the step (c) the second end of the third member is disposed in a slip-fit manner in the other one of the slots of the first and second members and with the second end of the third member spaced apart from contact with the closed inner end surface of the other one of the first and second slots of the first and second members by a predetermined clearance distance to allow for adjustability of the first and second members.