Patent ID: 6318201
Filing Date: 2001-11-20
Classification: F16C,F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
A motor vehicle differential axle assembly, comprising:a motor vehicle differential carrier;a first output shaft extending outwardly in a first direction from said motor vehicle differential carrier and supported by a first bearing;a second output shaft extending outwardly in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction from said motor vehicle differential carrier and supported by a second bearing;a collapsible spacer positioned between one of said first output shaft and said second output shaft and said motor vehicle differential carrier, the collapsible spacer comprising two axially extending straight portions connected by an arcuate central portion, free ends of the axially extending straight portions contacting adjacent surfaces of one of the bearings and the motor vehicle differential carrier; anda threaded adjuster positioned between the other of said first output shaft and said second output shaft and said motor vehicle differential carrier, such that as said threaded adjuster is tightened, said collapsible spacer plastically deforms.