Connector with multiple diameter canister

1 . An apparatus for connecting a first vehicle part to a second vehicle part and enabling relative movement between the first and second vehicle parts, said apparatus comprising:

a canister fixedly connected to the first vehicle part, said canister comprising a generally cylindrical side wall that defines a generally cylindrical chamber of said canister, said side wall having an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a central portion positioned between said upper and lower portions, said central portion having an outside diameter greater than outside diameters of said upper and lower portions; and

a member supported by said canister, said member being fixedly connected to the second vehicle part and enabling movement of said second vehicle part relative to said canister,

said central portion and said lower portion being inserted into an opening in the first vehicle part, a portion of the first vehicle part being rolled over adjacent the intersection of said upper portion and said central portion to help fixedly connect said canister to the first vehicle part.

2 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of said central portion and said lower portion have an interference fit with said opening in the first vehicle part.

3 . The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein said canister is press fit into said opening in said first vehicle part.

4 . The apparatus as recited in claim 2 , wherein said central portion forms a first annular ridge extending from an outer surface of said central portion to an outer surface of said upper portion, and a second annular ridge extending from an outer surface of said central portion to an outer surface of said lower portion.

5 . The apparatus as recited in claim 4 , wherein said second annular ridge has an interference fit with said opening in said first vehicle part.

6 . The apparatus as recited in claim 4 , wherein said portion of said first vehicle part is rolled over onto said first annular ridge.

7 . The apparatus as recited in claim 4 , wherein said opening in said first vehicle part has an upper portion for receiving said central portion of said canister, and a lower portion for receiving said lower portion of said canister.

8 . The apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein said upper portion of said opening has a diameter slightly less than a diameter of said central portion of said canister, said upper portion of said opening creating an interference fit with said central portion of said canister.

9 . The apparatus as recited in claim 7 , wherein said lower portion of said opening has a diameter slightly less than a diameter of said lower portion of said canister, said lower portion of said opening creating an interference fit with said lower portion of said canister.

10 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said portion of said first vehicle part comprises an annular rim which is rolled over to help connect said canister to the first vehicle part.

11 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said canister has a central axis and a length extending along said central axis, said upper portion, said lower portion, and said central portion each having a length measured along said central axis.

12 . The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the length of said upper portion is generally equal to the length of said lower portion.

13 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower portions have an equal outside diameter.

14 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second vehicle parts comprise one of vehicle steering and suspension components.

15 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said member has at least a portion positioned in said chamber of said canister.

16 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a ball joint, said means for connecting comprising a ball stud having a semispherical ball end portion and a shank portion, said ball end portion being received in said chamber, said canister supporting said ball stud for movement relative to said canister, said shank portion projecting from said canister.

17 . The apparatus as recited in claim 16 , further comprising a bearing disposed in said chamber, said ball end portion being in mating and abutting engagement with a semispherical bearing surface of said bearing, said ball end portion being moveable over said bearing surface.

18 . The apparatus as recited in claim 16 , wherein said ball stud is moveable pivotally and rotationally relative to said canister.

19 . The apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein said apparatus comprises a bushing, said canister comprising an outer sleeve of said bushing, said means for supporting the second vehicle part comprising an inner sleeve of said bushing disposed in said chamber, said bushing further comprising an intermediate sleeve for supporting said inner sleeve in said chamber.

20 . The apparatus as recited in claim 19 , wherein said inner sleeve defines a cylindrical bore extending along a central axis of said bearing, said second vehicle part extending through said bore, said second vehicle part being rotatable about said central axis.

21 . A ball joint for connecting a first vehicle part to a second vehicle part and enabling relative movement between the first and second vehicle parts, said ball joint comprising:

a canister fixedly connected to the first vehicle part, said canister comprising a generally cylindrical side wall that defines a generally cylindrical chamber of said canister, said canister having an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a central portion positioned between said upper and lower portions, said central portion having an outside diameter greater than outside diameters of said upper and lower portions; and

a ball stud having a semispherical ball end portion and a shank portion, said ball end portion being received in said chamber, said canister supporting said ball stud for movement relative to said canister, said shank portion projecting from said canister and having an end portion fixedly connected to the second vehicle part,

said central portion and said lower portion being inserted into the first vehicle part, a portion of the first vehicle part being rolled over adjacent the intersection of said upper portion and said central portion to help fixedly connect said canister to the first vehicle part.

22 . A bushing for connecting a first vehicle part to a second vehicle part and enabling relative movement between the first and second vehicle parts, said bushing comprising:

an outer sleeve fixedly connected to the first vehicle part, said outer sleeve comprising a generally cylindrical side wall that defines a generally cylindrical chamber of said outer sleeve, said outer sleeve having an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a central portion positioned between said upper and lower portions, said central portion having an outside diameter greater than outside diameters of said upper and lower portions;

an inner sleeve connected to the second vehicle part, said inner sleeve enabling relative movement between said second vehicle part and said canister, said inner sleeve being supported in said chamber; and

an intermediate sleeve for supporting said inner sleeve in said chamber,

said central portion and said lower portion being inserted into the first vehicle part, a portion of the first vehicle part being rolled over adjacent the intersection of said upper portion and said central portion to help fixedly connect said canister to the first vehicle part.

23 . A method for connecting a first vehicle part to a second vehicle part and enabling relative movement between the first and second vehicle parts, said method comprising the steps of:

fixedly connecting a canister to the first vehicle part, said canister comprising a generally cylindrical side wall that defines a generally cylindrical chamber of said canister, said canister having an upper portion, an opposite lower portion, and a central portion positioned between said upper and lower portions, said central portion having an outside diameter greater than outside diameters of said upper and lower portions;

providing means for connecting the second vehicle part to said canister and enabling relative movement between the second vehicle part and said canister, said means for supporting having at least a portion positioned in said chamber,

inserting said central portion and said lower portion into the first vehicle part;

rolling over a portion of the first vehicle part to help fixedly connect said canister to the first vehicle part, said portion of the first vehicle part being adjacent the intersection of said upper portion and said central portion; and

fixedly connecting the second vehicle part to said means for supporting.

24 . The method as recited in claim 23 , wherein said step of inserting said central portion and said lower portion into the first vehicle part comprises the step of creating an interference fit between said central portion and said first vehicle part.

25 . The method as recited in claim 23 , wherein said step of inserting said central portion and said lower portion into the first vehicle part comprises the step of creating an interference fit between said lower portion and said first vehicle part.

26 . The method as recited in claim 23 , wherein said step of rolling over a portion of the first vehicle part comprises the step of roll forming said portion of the first vehicle part.

27 . The method as recited in claim 23 , wherein said step of rolling over a portion of the first vehicle part comprises the step of swaging said portion of the first vehicle part.