STEERING KNUCKLE AND WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR REDUCING CORROSION BONDING
A steering knuckle configured to receive a bearing having a given outer diameter. The steering knuckle includes a knuckle body having an exterior surface with a given surface treatment. The body defines a knuckle bore having an interior surface and configured to receive the bearing. At least a portion of the knuckle bore interior surface is covered with a corrosion resistant material.
1 . A steering knuckle configured to receive a bearing having a given outer diameter, the steering knuckle comprising:
a knuckle body having an exterior surface with a given surface treatment, the body defining a knuckle bore having an interior surface and configured to receive the bearing;
wherein at least a portion of the knuckle bore interior surface is coated with a corrosion resistant material.
2 . The steering knuckle according to claim 1 wherein the corrosion resistant material is a non-metallic material.
3 . The steering knuckle according to claim 2 wherein the corrosion resistant material is selected from the group comprising: paints, epoxies, polymers, composites, and thermoplastics.
4 . The steering knuckle according to claim 1 wherein the corrosion resistant material is applied via brushing, spraying, e-coating, dipping or adhesion.
5 . The steering knuckle according to claim 1 wherein the corrosion resistant material has a thickness between 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm.
6 . The steering knuckle according to claim 1 wherein the corrosion resistant material has a thickness between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.
7 . The steering knuckle according to claim 1 wherein the corrosion resistant material is applied to the entire knuckle bore interior surface.
8 . The steering knuckle according to claim 1 wherein the at least a portion of the knuckle bore interior surface that is coated with a corrosion resistant material has a surface finish which is different than the given surface treatment.
9 . The steering knuckle according to claim 1 wherein the knuckle bore interior surface defines a minimum diameter which is larger than the given outer diameter.
10 . A steering knuckle assembly comprising the steering knuckle according to claim 9 and a bearing have a given outer diameter, wherein the bearing is positioned in the knuckle bore and a circumferential gap is defined between the knuckle bore interior surface and the bearing.
11 . The steering knuckle assembly according to claim 10 wherein the circumferential gap has a width between 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
12 . The steering knuckle assembly according to claim 10 wherein the circumferential gap has a width between 0.7 mm to 1.2 mm.
13 . A method of treating a steering knuckle including a knuckle body having an exterior surface with a given surface treatment, the body defining a knuckle bore having an interior surface and configured to receive the bearing, the method comprising:
coating at least a portion of the knuckle bore interior surface with a corrosion resistant material.
14 . The method according to claim 13 wherein the corrosion resistant material is a non-metallic material.
15 . The method according to claim 14 wherein the corrosion resistant material is selected from the group comprising: paints, epoxies, polymers, composites, and thermoplastics.
16 . The method according to claim 13 wherein the coating is done via brushing, spraying, e-coating, dipping or adhesion.
17 . The method according to claim 13 wherein the corrosion resistant material has a thickness between 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm.
18 . The method according to claim 13 wherein the corrosion resistant material has a thickness between 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.
19 . The method according to claim 13 wherein the corrosion resistant material is applied to the entire knuckle bore interior surface.
20 . The method according to claim 13 wherein the at least a portion of the knuckle bore interior surface that is coated with a corrosion resistant material has a surface finish which is different than the given surface treatment.