Patent ID: 7585031
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: B60B,F16C

Abstract:
1. A wheel end assembly including an improved wheel hub, said wheel end assembly further including a pair of bearings mounted on a spindle of a non-drive axle of a heavy-duty vehicle, said wheel hub being rotatably mounted on said bearings, with the bearings, the wheel hub and said axle spindle defining a cavity in the wheel end assembly, the improvement comprising: a port formed in said wheel hub, said port extending generally parallel to a central axis of the wheel hub and communicating with an outboard surface of said wheel hub and said cavity, whereby lubricant for said bearings is capable of being introduced into the cavity through said port; a plug disposed in said port between said cavity and an outboard end of said wheel hub; and a bolt disposed in said port outboardly of said plug, said combination of said plug and said bolt providing a redundant closure for containing lubricant in said cavity.