Bearing assembly with guide grooves and axial retaining element and associated assembly method.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a bearing assembly 1 comprising a ball joint 2 with an inner ring 4 having a bore-shaped inner surface and a spherical outer surface, an outer ring 5 with a spherical inner surface mounted on the outer surface of the inner ring 4, and a retaining sleeve 3 with an outer surface mounted within the inner surface of the inner ring 4. One of the inner surfaces of the inner ring 4 or of the outer surface of the retaining sleeve 3 is provided with at least one axial groove extending from a front face of the inner ring or of said sleeve 3, and at least one circumferential groove extending from the axial grooves. The other surface is provided with at least one axial retaining member 7 configured to engage in the axial and circumferential grooves for axial locking of the retaining sleeve 3 relative to the inner ring 4. Figure for the abstract: 6