Calibrated replacement torque rod

Abstract

A torque rod replacement assembly which includes ball joint assemblies, each having a projection arm, one of which telescopes into the other, weld slots .Iadd.or windows .Iaddend.being provided for permanent assembly, and graduation being provided on the telescoping parts to facilitate accurate adaptation to a vehicle being serviced.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A vehicle rod replacement assembly comprising: (a) a pair of movable joint assemblies,   (b) a hollow tube permanently secured to and extending from one of said joint assemblies.Iadd., said hollow tube .Iaddend.having an axial bore,   (c) a rod permanently secured to and extending from .[.said.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.other .Iadd.of said .Iaddend.joint .[.assembly.]. .Iadd.assemblies .Iaddend.having a series of lineal graduations thereon, said rod having in assembly a freely slidable, unrestrained fit .[.with.]. .Iadd.within .Iaddend.the axial bore of said tube, and   (d) welds at adjoining surfaces of said tube and rod to secure said .[.parts.]. .Iadd.tube and rod .Iaddend.in a permanent longitudinal relationship at a selected dimension whereby said joint assemblies are properly spaced for assembly into a vehicle suspension system.   
     
     
       2. A vehicle rod replacement assembly comprising: (a) a pair of movable joint assemblies,   (b) a hollow tube permanently secured to and extending from one of said joint assemblies.Iadd., said tube .Iaddend.having an axial bore.[., said tube having axial slots.]. .Iadd.and at least one window .Iaddend.in walls .[.thereof.]. .Iadd.of said tube .Iaddend.positioned .[.toward.]. .Iadd.proximate .Iaddend.the distal end,   (c) a rod permanently secured to and extending from .[.said.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.other .Iadd.of said .Iaddend.joint .[.assembly.]. .Iadd.assemblies and .Iaddend.having a series of lineal graduations thereon visible through said .[.axial slots.]. .Iadd.window.Iaddend., said rod having in assembly a freely slidable, unrestrained fit with the axial bore of said tube, and   (d) welds extending through said .[.slots.]. .Iadd.window .Iaddend.to secure adjoining surfaces of said tube and rod in a fixed and permanent longitudinal spaced relationship at a selected dimension whereby said joint assemblies are properly spaced for assembly into a vehicle suspension system.   
     
     
       3. A fixed dimension replacement rod assembly for field replacement in vehicles which .[.comprises:.]. .Iadd.consists of .Iaddend. (a) a first movable joint having a first containing body and a fastening stud extending axially therefrom movable relative to the body and a first elongate member permanently secured .[.at a proximal end.]. .Iadd.at an end .Iaddend.to and extending radially from the containing body,   (b) a second movable joint having a second containing body and a fastening stud extending axially therefrom movable relative to the body and a second elongate member permanently secured .[.at a proximal end.]. .Iadd.at an end .Iaddend.to and extending radially from the second containing body,   (c) said first and second elongate members being dimensioned to have in assembly a freely slidable unrestrained axial telescoping relation, the outer of said members .Iadd.being tubular and .Iaddend.having .Iadd.at least .Iaddend.one .[.or more axial slots.]. .Iadd.window .Iaddend.through the wall thereof .[.spaced from.]. .Iadd.proximate .Iaddend.the .[.digital.]. .Iadd.other .Iaddend.end thereof, and   (d) welds to secure said elongate members in a permanent fixed predetermined longitudinal relationship to establish a permanent lineal dimensional spacing between said movable joint bodies to accommodate to a particular vehicle suspension application .[.comprising an.]. .Iadd.consisting of a single .Iaddend.encircling weld between the end of the outer of said telescoping members and the inner member, and a puddle weld in said .[.slot.]. .Iadd.window .Iaddend.welding said outer member to the outer surface of said inner member in an area spaced from said encircling weld. .Iadd.4. A vehicle rod replacement assembly consisting of   (a) a pair of movable joint assemblies;   (b) a single tube permanently secured to and extending from one of said joint assemblies, said tube having an open end and an axial bore of constant diameter from end to end;   (c) a single rod permanently secured to and extending from the other of said joint assemblies, said rod having in assembly a portion introduced in said tube through said tube open end disposed in freely slidable unrestrained fit within the axial bore of said tube;   (d) at least one aperture through a wall of said tube, said aperture being disposed proximate the open end of said tube; and   (e) a puddle weld in said aperture welding said tube to said rod and a single encircling weld between the open end of said tube and a corresponding peripheral surface area of said rod. .Iaddend.