Patent ID: 6969125
Filing Date: 2005-11-29
Classification: B60B,F16D

Abstract:
1. A wheel end assembly comprising: a bearing shaft having an inboard end and an outboard end; a wheel hub mounted onto said outboard end of said bearing shaft; a detachable outboard joint mounted onto said inboard end of said bearing shaft; and a wheel bearing mounted onto said bearing shaft between said inboard end and said outboard end, said wheel bearing including a knuckle flange having an inner diameter that defines an inboard outer race and an outboard outer race, an inboard inner race and an outboard inner race supported on said bearing shaft, and a plurality of bearing elements, a first portion of said bearing elements being positioned between said inboard outer race and said inboard inner race and a second portion of said bearing elements being positioned between said outboard outer race and said outboard inner race; and an inboard bearing ring, said inboard inner race being formed within said inboard bearing ring, said inboard bearing ring including an engagement portion extending axially inward and engaging said detachable outboard joint; said inboard end of said bearing shaft including a flange portion, said flange portion providing a support to keep said inboard bearing ring, and said wheel bearing positioned onto said bearing shaft and inducing a pre-load into said wheel bearing such that said pre-load is maintained on said wheel bearing when said outboard joint is removed from said wheel end assembly. said outboard joint including a bell housing, said bell housing having a narrowed neck portion defining a bell housing inner surface, said bell housing inner surface having a polygon shape, said engagement portion of said inboard bearing ring presenting an outer surface having a polygon shape corresponding to said inboard bearing ring and rotationally locks said bell housing and said inboard bearing ring to one another.