Patent ID: 6009609
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: B60K,F16D,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for converting a vehicle drive line system which comprises:(a) providing an arrangement of components for a two-wheel/four-wheel optional drive system including a drive shaft and a driven shaft in mated end-to-end relation, splines provided on a peripheral end portion of each of the mated ends, a clutch ring slidably mounted on the splines of one of the shafts and slidably engageable with the splines of the other of the shafts, and an actuator selectively positioning the clutch ring on to and off of the splines of the other of the shafts for connecting and disconnecting the drive and driven shafts;(b) utilizing selected ones of the components of the drive system of step (a) for a four-wheel only drive system including:(1) determining the position of the clutch ring on the splines of said one of the shafts with the clutch ring positioned also on the splines of the other of the shafts, the drive and driven shafts thereby connected;(2) providing a circular groove on the splines of said one of the shafts adjacent to the clutch ring in the determined position;(3) placing a spring clip in the groove for locking the clutch ring in the connected position.