Strut rod mounting assembly

Claim 1

A mounting assembly for connecting a terminal end portion of an elongated strut rod to a vehicle frame member at a predetermined mounting opening passing therethrough, said mounting assembly comprising: a pair of resilient bushings each having spaced apart inner and outer end faces with a strut rod receiving passage extending between said end faces, said bushings adapted to be positioned on opposite sides of said frame member with said frame member opening and bushing passages in substantial axial alignment with each other to receive said strut rod terminal end portion therethrough and with said bushing inner end faces disposed adjacent said frame member; an alignment cup having a generally flat base interposed between the inner end face of each bushing and said frame member, each said cup further including an inner lip extending generally normal to said base adapted to be axially received in said frame member opening and an outer lip adapted to be received over at least a portion of the outer periphery of the associated bushing inner end face, said outer lip being spaced along said base from said inner lip and extending outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to said inner lip; spacer means adapted to prevent the side walls of said bushing passages from contacting said strut rod along said terminal end portion thereof; and, a thrust member disposed at each bushing outer end face wherein said thrust members are adapted to be brought into bearing engagement against said bushing body outer end faces by selectively adjustable force means received at spaced apart locations along said strut rod terminal end portion, whereby said inner lips are adapted to center and pilot said alignment cups in said frame member opening and said outer lips are adapted to pilot said bushings at least in response to any rocking movement of said strut rod caused during vehicle operation.