Patent ID: 6951146
Filing Date: 2005-10-04
Classification: F16C,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for determining a thickness of a shim member for setting up preloading of a bearing assembly that supports a shaft within a housing and permits relative rotation between said shaft and said housing about an axis, said shaft having an end face at a rear end thereof and a bearing supporting shoulder, said bearing assembly including a front tapered roller bearing and a rear tapered roller bearing, each of said bearings having the capacity to transmit radial and axial loads and including an inner cone that fits around said shaft, an outer cone that is fitted into said housing and a plurality of rolling elements located therebetween, said shim member disposed between said bearing supporting shoulder of said shaft and said inner cone of said front bearing, said apparatus comprising: a measuring device for gauging the location of said bearing supporting shoulder and said inner cone of said rear bearing in the preloaded condition; a bearing preload fixture for applying a predetermined axial load to said inner cone of said rear bearing corresponding to a proper preload of said differential assembly; and a centering fixture for centering said shaft and supporting it in the axial direction while said axial load is applied thereto through said bearing preloading fixture, wherein said measuring device includes a first portion integrally formed with a second portion, said first portion adapted for engaging said bearing supporting shoulder or said inner cone of said rear bearing, and said second portion connected to a measuring probe adapted for engaging said end face of said shaft.