Patent ID: 6743138
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A differential axle assembly comprising:an axle housing adapted to receive a pair of axle half shafts; and a differential gear set supported directly by said axle housing within said axle housing wherein the axle half shafts engage said differential gear set within said axle housing; said differential gear set including a pair of side gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other, each of said side gears being supported by said axle housing and adapted to engage an axle half-shaft; a pair of pinion gears substantially aligned and spaced apart from each other, each of said pinion gears engaging said side gears; a hypoid ring gear supported within said axle housing; a pinion shaft secured to and extending diametrically across said hypoid ring gear, said pinion shaft supporting said pinion gears in engagement with said side gears and allowing rotational movement of said pinion gears about said pinion shaft; and a spherical thrust washer positioned on said pinion shaft between each of said pinion gears and said hypoid ring gear; each of said spherical thrust washers including an outer diameter having a pair of flats formed thereon, said axle housing including corresponding flats formed therein such that said flats of said spherical thrust washers clear said flats of said axle housing.