Patent ID: 6648788
Filing Date: 2003-11-18
Classification: B60K,F16C

Abstract:
A carrier assembly for a forward drive axle of a tandem axle set comprising:an input; an inter-axle differential operably coupled to said input and rotatably supported on an inter-axle differential bearing assembly; a pinion gear operably coupled to said inter-axle differential for rotation about a pinion gear axis of rotation, said pinion gear having a first piece defining a pinion gear head and a second piece defining a pinion shaft with a hollow center portion, said pinion shaft having an inner end for supporting said first piece and an outer end extending into said inter-axle differential assembly for applying a thrust load to said inter-axle differential bearing assembly; a thru-shaft extending through said hollow center portion of said second piece for rotation about a thru-shaft axle of rotation; and an output operably coupled to said thru-shaft for transferring driving force to a rear drive axle.