Patent ID: 6179308
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: B60G,B60T,B62D

Abstract:
A wheel end assembly for a steerable axle of a motor vehicle chassis, comprising:a constant velocity joint drivingly interconnected with an axle shaft of the steerable axle, along a lateral axis defined by said axle shaft, and a wheel assembly for transmitting driving torque therebetween;a yoke having a main body portion with a central, laterally-extending pass-through for said constant velocity joint and fixedly mounted to the vehicle chassis, said yoke further including an upper and a lower, ball joint arm which laterally extend towards said wheel assembly, said upper ball joint arm having an upper ball joint passage therethrough, and said lower ball joint arm having a lower ball joint passage therethrough;a knuckle fixed to said wheel assembly for transferring steering rotation thereto comprising a flat plate body with a central, lateral opening for said constant velocity joint to pass through, and having a steering arm to affect steering input upon said knuckle, a splined upper ball joint pocket at an upper end, and a splined lower ball joint pocket at a lower end, wherein said flat plate body extends from said upper ball joint passage to said lower ball joint passage of said yoke;an upper ball joint housed in said upper ball joint passage and said upper splined ball joint pocket and secured to said yoke and splinedly interconnected to said knuckle; anda lower ball joint housed in said lower ball joint passage and said lower splined ball joint pocket and secured to said yoke and splinedly interconnected to said knuckle, wherein said upper and lower ball joints allow said knuckle to swivel relative to said yoke.