RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR ADJUSTER CLEARANCE ENHANCEMENT

The invention provides a steering assembly (10, 10a) including a first shaft (28, 28a) having a first longitudinal axis (29, 29a). The steering assembly (10, 10a) also includes a second shaft (32, 32a) having a second longitudinal axis (33, 33a). The first and second longitudinal axis (29, 29a, 33, 33a) are transverse and offset with respect one another. The first and second shafts (28, 28a, 32, 32a) are engaged at an intersection (35, 35a) such that the second shaft (32, 32a) translates along the second longitudinal axis (33, 33a) in response to rotation of the first shaft (28, 28a) about the first longitudinal axis (29, 29a). The steering assembly (10, 10a) also includes a bearing member (34, 34a, 34b, 34c) contacting the second shaft (32, 32a). The bearing member (34, 34a) is moveable along a bearing axis (37, 37a) extending transverse to both of the first and second longitudinal axis (33, 33a) at the intersection (35, 35a) to support the second shaft (32, 32a). The steering assembly (10, 10a) also includes an adjustment member (36, 36a, 36b) adjustably spaced from the bearing member (34, 34a, 34b, 34c) along the bearing axis (37, 37a). The adjustment member (36, 36a, 36b) limits movement of the bearing member (34, 34a, 34b, 34c) along the bearing axis (37, 37a). La présente invention concerne un ensemble de direction (10, 10a) qui comporte un premier arbre (28, 28a) ayant un premier axe longitudinal (29, 29a), ainsi qu'un second arbre (32, 32a) ayant un second axe longitudinal (33, 33a). Les premier et second axes longitudinaux (29, 29a, 33, 33a) sont transversaux et décalés l'un par rapport à l'autre. Les premier et second arbres (28, 28a, 32, 32a) s'engrènent au niveau d'une intersection (35, 35a) de manière telle que le second arbre (32, 32a) effectue un mouvement de translation le long du second axe longitudinal (33, 33a) en réponse à la rotation du premier arbre (28, 28a) autour du premier axe longitudinal (29, 29a). Ledit ensemble de direction (10, 10a) comporte également un élément palier (34, 34a, 34b, 34c) se trouvant en contact avec le second arbre (32, 32a). L'élément palier (34, 34a) est mobile le long d'un axe (37, 37a) de palier qui s'étend transversalement par rapport aux premier et second axes longitudinaux (33, 33a) à l'intersection (35, 35a) pour supporter le second arbre (32, 32a). Ledit ensemble de direction (10, 10a) comporte en outre un élément d'ajustement (36, 36a, 36b) espacé de manière ajustable de l'élément palier (34, 34a, 3