Patent ID: 7648438
Filing Date: 2010-01-19
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A differential gear assembly, comprising: a differential housing adapted to be rotatably supported within an axle housing, said differential housing having an interior chamber, a first aperture and a second aperture, said first and second apertures being axially aligned with each other, said differential housing having a bore extending into said first aperture; side gears rotatably supported within said interior chamber of said differential housing; a cross pin supported in said interior chamber of said differential housing, said cross pin having ends positioned within said first and second apertures, said cross pin having a transversely extending bore aligned with said bore in said differential housing; pinion gears rotatably supported on said cross pin and in meshed engagement with said side gears; and a cross pin retainer selectively positionable at a partially-inserted position and at a fully-inserted position with respect to said differential housing, said cross pin retainer including a first end rotatable between first and second rotational orientations, said first end restricting axial movement of said cross pin retainer to said fully-inserted position and allowing axial movement to said partially-inserted position when located in its first rotational orientation, said first end allowing axial movement of said cross pin retainer to said fully-inserted position when located in its second rotational orientation.