Abstract:
Mounted in a suspension upright for land vehicles, there is provided an arrangement comprising a constant velocity joint, a hub and two wheel bearings with provision for preload adjustment, wherein the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper is the inboard wheel bearing&#39;s inner race. The bearing raceway formed on the exterior surface of the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper is located so as to be in the general area occupied by the driven plane in line with the CV joint&#39;s flexural center, providing full end support to the CV joint itself, and concurrently bring about increased axial spacing between the inboard and outboard bearings. Having the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper thus integrated to the inboard wheel bearing, a robust hub assembly is provided, wherein the CV joint&#39;s flexural center can be placed more closely to the wheel center plane than is normally possible, making negative scrub radius with low kingpin inclination easily achievable.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of provisional application Serial No. 60/179,032 filed Feb. 1, 2000 and of currently pending application Ser. No. 09/774,570 filed Feb. 1, 2001 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to improvements in the method of supporting the constant velocity joint outer race proper at the wheel end of an axle-driving shaft in a hub assembly of an independent type suspension layout for a wheeled vehicle and further, discloses more than one method devised for preload adjustment of wheel bearings in such an assembly.  
           [0003]    In the following description of both the prior art and this invention, the term “constant velocity joint outer race proper” is intended to be limiting to the extent that it shall denote only the generally bell shaped part of the outer race which contains the ball grooves for transmitting driving torque from the inner race of the joint, which inner race is non-rotatably connected to the drive axle shaft. The term “constant velocity joint&#39;s outer race proper” shall specifically exclude that section of the outer race that is the stub axle, that axle being a reduced diameter integral appendage to the outer race. Further, the term “driven plane” refers the plane being normal to the outer race&#39;s rotational axis and is lined up with the flexural center of the constant velocity joint. The term “flexural center” refers to the point which lies at the intersection of the joint&#39;s driving and driven axes, otherwise know as joint center. The terms “inboard” and “outboard” refer to the ends of the hub assembly being closer to and farther from the vehicle&#39;s longitudinal center plane respectively.  
         BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    It is known in the art that the typical method of packaging the hub in the front upright with the constant velocity “CV” joint in the case of independently suspended wheels presents a compromised steering geometry in front-wheel-drive “FWD” and all-wheel-drive vehicles, which is especially pronounced in the case of light trucks and Sport Utility Vehicles. Three key parameters are essential to achieving an ideal FWD steering geometry, the first being low kingpin inclination angle for minimizing camber loss as steer lock is added, the second being negative scrub radius in order to minimize drive torque and brake reaction induced steering force variations, and the third parameter being short hub length owing to the fact that the wheel center, the dished disc, may not protrude outboard of the tire side wall, so as to prevent any damage to the hub which could otherwise be incurred in the course of normal use. To wit, a negative scrub radius exists when the kingpin intersects the ground level outboard of the wheel rim&#39;s center plane.  
           [0005]    According to current practice for independent suspension layouts in general, the wheel bearing of choice for driven wheels—whether steered or not—is either the double row angular contact ball bearing, or a double row tapered roller bearing, or a pair of opposed angular contact ball bearings. Within the scope of independent type suspension layouts, accepted wheel hub packaging practice does not make it feasible to achieve negative scrub radius with low kingpin angle, especially not on SUVs and light trucks, as any currently practiced approach to wheel bearing packaging solutions force the wheel end—or outboard—CV joint undesirably far inboard of the wheel rim&#39;s center plane.  
           [0006]    Another undesirable byproduct of current state of the art CV joint packaging practice is that said CV joint&#39;s said outer race proper is cantilevered by virtue of the bearing, or bearings, being substantially positioned on the integral stub axle, which stub axle axially extends in a generally lateral outwardly direction from said CV joint&#39;s said outer race proper. With regards to steering geometry, it is a given that the kingpin must simultaneously pass through the centers of both outboard suspension joints and the CV joint. Consequently, according to the known state of the art, if near-zero or negative scrub radius is desired, that can only be achieved at the expense of desirable kingpin axis inclination, and vice versa. The subject of kingpin inclination put aside, state of the art solutions to near-zero or negative scrub radius lead to other fundamentally negative side effects.  
           [0007]    To name but two, these are a definite lack of wheel bearing robustness for a given hub package size, and a lack of provision for periodic wheel bearing preload adjustment in the course of routine maintenance. A further undesirable side effect is that the planes defining the inboard and outboard rows of rolling elements are very closely coupled to one another, and as wear develops over the bearing&#39;s life span, it magnifies the road wheel&#39;s free play in directions being oblique to the rotational-plane.  
           [0008]    It follows then that there is a need for a relatively short hub supported by robust wheel bearings, which two characteristics of course are mutually exclusive with state-of-the-art solutions, so long as the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper at the wheel end of the drive shaft is not being integrated to the inboard wheel bearing.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a robust wheel support assembly for a wheeled vehicle wherein the CV joint&#39;s flexural center, that is to say its outer race proper, is placed more closely to the wheel center plane than is possible with current state of the art solutions, and by taking the opportunity thus offered in the present solution, introduce increased axial spacing between the inboard and outboard wheel bearings, and therewith provide full end support to said CV joint&#39;s outer race proper, yielding an assembly wherein wheel bearing preload is infinitely adjustable and can be regulated during routine maintenance.  
           [0010]    The objective is achieved by assembling into the suspension upright a concentric interconnected arrangement comprising a wheel hub, two independent rows of axially adjustable wheel bearings being suitable for supporting combined axial and radial loads, one inboard and the other outboard relative to one another, each one of said bearings having a plurality of rolling elements, and a CV joint including an outer race having an integral co-axial outwardly extending stub axle with form fitting means of interconnecting mechanism thereon and further, said stub axle is having a concentric radially oriented surface formed on that part which is substantially its outer race proper, said concentric surface forming a raceway for being in bearing contact with said rolling elements of said inboard wheel bearing, wherein said raceway can be in the general area occupied by the driven plane, said driven plane being in line with said CV joint&#39;s said flexural center, and a form fitting means of interconnecting mechanism which enables the assembled parts to be connected as a preloaded unit in an adjustable and detachable manner. In the present invention, the inboard wheel bearing provides full end support to the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper, therewith inherently yielding increased axial distance between the inboard and outboard wheel bearings. Further, wheel bearing preload is adjustable at any time during the vehicle&#39;s service life.  
           [0011]    For a given load bearing capacity, integrating the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper to the wheel bearing yields an axially short overall package, and presents several advantages, which are disclosed hereafter.  
           [0012]    In the present invention, low kingpin inclination and negative scrub radius are simultaneously achievable, arising out of the short and robust package wherein the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper is positioned more closely to the wheel centerline than is possible with current practice by virtue of said CV joint&#39;s said outer race proper being combined with the inboard wheel bearing, such that it forms said bearing&#39;s inner race. A side benefit of this is added space for a longer length axle-driving half-shaft. Concurrently, due to increased axial space between the inboard and outboard wheel bearings as compared to the state of the art arrangements, a further advantage is the increased bending resistance offered by the hub when lateral loads are applied to the wheel, and increased bearing life owing to reduced bearing stresses resulting from enhanced mechanical advantages. Because there is full end support to the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper, reduced bending moments result from the application of driving torque in the presence of joint angularity in the CV joint&#39;s integral co-axially outwardly extending stub axle. A further advantage to be had by having two discreet bearing units instead of a single one is that a higher count of rolling elements can be installed for a still further increase in load capacity, and because of the added distance between the inboard and outboard bearings, when bearing wear is measurable the road wheel&#39;s free play in directions being oblique to the rotational-plane is less than is the case with closely coupled bearings. Yet another advantage is that the wheel bearings can be larger and/or of the tapered roller type, thus affording still higher load capacities. Additionally, a not inconsiderable benefit of this invention is that the wheel bearing preload is infinitely adjustable and can be regulated as a matter of routine maintenance.  
           [0013]    According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a interconnecting arrangement and bearing support for a vehicle axle hub in a suspension upright, comprising a CV joint including an outer race having an integral coaxial outwardly extending stub axle thereon, a flanged driven hub having a generally cylindrical main body, adjustable inboard and outboard wheel bearings each having a plurality of rolling elements, bearing seals, at least one lock washer and a form fitting interconnecting mechanism comprising an interconnecting member and one bearing preload adjusting member, wherein said adjusting member and the hub retaining member may be one and the same component, and wherein said hub, said CV joint, said adjustable inboard and outboard wheel bearings and said seals as well as said preload adjusting nuts are arranged on mutually coaxial axes, wherein said bearings and said seals are being fully seated within their respective counterbores in said upright, and wherein said CV joint&#39;s outer race proper and said hub are being centered and rotatably supported within said upright by said inboard and outboard wheel bearings respectively, said CV joint&#39;s said stub axle is being co-axially engaged into said hub and non-rotatably aligned relative thereto, said stub axle non-rotatably engaging said lock washer, and outboard of said lock washer said stub axle engaging said hub retaining member, said hub may have additional form fitting threads therein or thereon for receiving an additional adjusting nut thereto, and said hub flange is having provisions for mounting a road wheel thereto, the arrangement comprising an adjustable and detachable mechanism for rotatably mounting a road wheel into a suspension upright.  
           [0014]    The adjustable inboard wheel bearing including an outer race member, a cage containing a plurality of rolling elements and an inner race member, is a full bearing, wherein said inner race member is said outer race proper of said CV joint having a concentric raceway thereon in the general area occupied by the driven plane in line with said CV joint&#39;s flexural center. The embodiment is achieved by providing an arrangement, wherein said cage and said rolling elements are being rotatably permanently affixed on to said inner race in a similar manner as they would be on to a conventional generic inner race, or in a first alternative said rolling elements and said cage are being rotatably permanently affixed to said bearing&#39;s said outer race member.  
           [0015]    The adjustable outboard wheel bearing including an outer race member, a cage containing a plurality of rolling elements and an inner race member is a full bearing, wherein said inner race, is said generally cylindrical main body of said wheel hub having a concentric raceway thereon. The embodiment is achieved by providing an arrangement, wherein said cage and said rolling elements are being rotatably permanently affixed on to said inner race formed by said hub in a similar manner as they would be on to a conventional generic inner race, or in a first alternative said rolling elements in said cage are being rotatably permanently affixed to said bearing&#39;s said outer race member, or according to a further alternative by having a distinct full bearing seated co-axially on a journal seat suitably formed on said generally cylindrical main body of said hub, or in a further alternative, said rolling elements are being rotatably contained by said cage, wherein said cage containing said plurality of rolling elements is being a stand-alone component.  
           [0016]    In one embodiment there is provided an arrangement wherein the CV joint&#39;s integral co-axially extending stub axle and the flanged hub non-rotatably engage one another in an axially adjustable manner forming a single interconnecting arrangement rotatably mounted in concentric inboard and outboard bearings, including respective outer races, respective cages having respective sets of a plurality of rolling elements therein and respective inner races, a suspension upright having a main bore cavity for ensconcing said interconnecting arrangement therein, and coaxial means of support formed by concentric counterbores at opposite ends of said main bore therein for said outer races of said inboard and outboard bearings facing one another for tensioning said pair of adjustable bearings confronting said means of bearing support therein, and said pair of adjustable and detachable wheel bearings locating and providing full end support at both ends to said rotating interconnecting arrangement in said upright.  
           [0017]    In a preferred embodiment there is provided an arrangement wherein there is a CV joint having an integral co-axial stub axle having non-rotatable external form fitting interconnecting means with a reduced diameter threaded outwardly extending extension and a coaxial outer raceway radially formed on said CV joint&#39;s outer race proper in the general area occupied by the driven plane in line with said CV joint&#39;s flexural center, said CV joint&#39;s said outer race proper forming said inner race for said rolling elements of said adjustable inboard wheel bearing having an outer race and a bearing cage, said rolling elements rotatably being in bearing contact with said CV joint&#39;s said outer race proper, a co-axially mounted axially adjustable hub having non-rotatable internal form fitting interconnecting means and coaxial external raceway thereon and said hub on its face away from said CV joint having a counterbore with a reduced diameter threaded bore therein, said a coaxial external raceway on said hub is being rotatably centered by said outboard wheel bearing&#39;s said rolling elements, and said counterbore and said threaded bore respectively being in bearing contact with and engaging a co-axially aligned bearing preload adjusting nut therein, a lock washer and a hub adjusting nut mating to said reduced diameter threaded outwardly extending extension on said CV joint&#39;s said stub axle, and an upright wherein the adjustable wheel bearings&#39; said outer races are firmly seated.  
           [0018]    In an alternate form of the previously described embodiment, the raceway formed on the hub for being in bearing contact with said outboard wheel bearing&#39;s said rolling elements is replaced by a coaxial journal seat having a raised co-axial shoulder at its outboard end for providing axial support to said outboard wheel bearing, and having a distinct generic inner race of said outboard wheel bearing seated thereon and confronting said shoulder thereof.  
           [0019]    In a still further alternate form, said hub may have said bearing preload adjusting nut and said lock washer transposed to the exterior surface of said hub&#39;s said main body, wherein said adjusting nut and said lock washer are being located on a raised concentric threaded shoulder outboard of said raised coaxial journal seat provided for supporting said outboard adjustable wheel bearing&#39;s said distinct generic inner race.  
           [0020]    The last three configurations just described have an advantage in that said hub retaining member can be fully tightened, thus causing the hub to confront said CV joint&#39;s outer race with a force which is independent of bearing preload.  
           [0021]    Yet another hub configuration may be devised, wherein the bearing preload adjustment is achieved in much the same manner as is the case with a conventional non-driven wheel. In that case, that bearing preload adjusting nut which is threadedly associated with said hub is omitted, and thus any desired degree of adjustment is brought about by tightening to a predetermined preload value that hub retaining member which is threadedly associated with said CV joint&#39;s said stub axle, and having said hub retaining member restrained from further turning by a suitable means of locking arrangement.  
           [0022]    Preferably, the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper and the concentric outwardly extending stub axle thereof are made as a homogenous entity.  
           [0023]    According to an alternate concept, the concentric stub axle extending outwardly from the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper may be a mechanically integrated discrete segment thereof, so as to permit cost efficient use of mutually exclusive alloys for said axle and said outer race proper, wherein said outer race proper made of rolling contact bearing steel is being provided with a concentric cylindrical bore originating on the outboard planar surface thereof and terminating at the inboard planar surface being within the cage cavity therein, and wherein said stub axle being made of induction hardenable or case-hardenable steel is being provided with an inwardly extending concentric annular root, said root originating at the planar inboard end of said stub axle forming a raised shoulder thereof, wherein said root is provided with a first set of radially disposed axially oriented pointed teeth thereon and a cylindrical counterbore therein. At the time of inseparably joining said stub axle to said CV joint&#39;s outer race proper, as said root is being axially forced into said bore of said outer race proper until said root&#39;s said shoulder confronts the outer race&#39;s said outboard planar surface, the previously hardened said first set of teeth displace material from said outer race&#39;s said bore towards the cage cavity, forming a second set of teeth therein, and causing a portion of said root protruding into said cage cavity therein. The joining operation is completed by outwardly deforming said root&#39;s said protruding portion, thus forming a collar resting on said inboard planar surface therein, creating an inseparable assembly thereof.  
           [0024]    While the concentric interconnected arrangement of said wheel support assembly may be laid out in any number of ways, in all cases the raceway on said CV joint&#39;s outer race proper is being in bearing contact with the plurality of rolling elements of the inner wheel bearing, and wherein said raceway is in the general area occupied by said CV joint&#39;s driven plane.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:  
         [0026]    FIGS.  1  to  6  inclusive, as part of the original application, are now cancelled as an action in the present application being a continuation-in-part.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 7 is a side view with a broken out section of the CV joint outer race, noting commonly used terminology occurring throughout this document;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 8 is a side view of an arrangement of the inboard wheel bearing;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 9 is a side view with a broken out section of one arrangement of the CV joint outer race;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of one embodiment of an interconnecting arrangement for a vehicle axle drive shaft support and axle drive mechanism;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 11 is a modified view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, wherein the outboard wheel bearing inner race is a separate generic type;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 12 is a cutaway view of a first alternate embodiment of an interconnecting arrangement for a vehicle axle drive shaft support and axle drive mechanism;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 13 is a cutaway view of a second alternate embodiment of an interconnecting arrangement for a vehicle axle drive shaft support and axle drive mechanism;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14 is a modified view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, wherein the outboard wheel bearing inner race is a separate generic type;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 15 is a cutaway detailed view showing the wheel bearing preload adjusting arrangement in the preferred embodiment;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 16 is a cutaway detailed view showing the wheel bearing preload adjusting arrangement in the first alternate embodiment.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0037]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, in FIG. 7 there is illustrated a side elevation with broken out sectional view of the CV joint&#39;s outer race, noting the terminology referring to elements thereof and occurring throughout this document.  
         [0038]    Referring to the drawing in FIG. 8, there is illustrated in side elevation an inboard bearing subassembly which includes a CV joint outer race proper  10  and a concentric laterally outwardly extending stub shaft  13 , said outer race is configured to include a conical raceway  11  for being in bearing contact with a plurality of rolling elements  22 , said rolling elements being retained thereto by spacer cage  23 .  
         [0039]    Referring to the drawing in FIG. 9, there is illustrated a side elevation with broken out sectional view a subassembly comprising the CV joint&#39;s outer race proper  10  and a concentric mechanically integrated discrete stub axle  13  extending outwardly therefrom.  
         [0040]    CV joint&#39;s outer race proper  10 , made of rolling contact bearing steel, is provided with a concentric cylindrical bore  10   a  originating on the outboard planar surface  10   b  thereof and terminating at the inboard planar surface  10   c  being within the cage cavity  10   d  therein.  
         [0041]    Stub axle  13 , being made of induction hardenable or case-hardenable steel, is provided with an inwardly extending concentric annular root  19 , said root originating at the planar inboard end of stub axle  13  forming a raised shoulder  19   a  thereof, wherein said root  19  is being provided with a first set of radially disposed axially oriented pointed teeth  19   c  thereon, and a cylindrical counterbore  19   d  therein.  
         [0042]    At the time of inseparably joining said stub axle to said CV joint outer race proper, the previously hardened teeth  19   c  of stub axle&#39;s said root  19  are being axially forced into the bore  10   a  of said outer race proper, said first set of teeth  19   c  displace material from said outer race&#39;s said bore  10   a  towards the cage cavity  10   d,  forming a second set of teeth  10   e  therein, a portion of said root  19  protruding into said cage cavity  10   d  therein. The uniting force is maintained until shoulder  19   a  of said root confronts the outer race&#39;s said planar surface  10   b.  The joining operation is completed by outwardly deforming said root&#39;s said protruding portion  19  causing the creation of a collar  19   b  resting on said inboard planar surface  10   c  therein, creating an inseparable assembly thereof.  
         [0043]    Referring to the drawing in FIG. 10, there is illustrated in sectional view a wheel hub and axle drive mechanism which includes an inboard wheel bearing subassembly comprised of a CV joint outer race  10  and a plurality of rolling elements  22  retained thereto by spacer cage  23 , an inboard wheel bearing outer race  21 , an inboard bearing seal  3 , an outboard wheel bearing comprised of a wheel hub  30  and a plurality of rolling elements  43  retained thereto by spacer cage  45 , an outboard wheel bearing outer race  42 , a hub retaining lock nut  4 , a bearing preload adjusting nut  50 , a keyed lock washer  60 , an outboard bearing seal  5 , a brake disc  70 , and finally wheel mounting threaded lugs  6  and suspension upright generally designated by reference numeral  80 .  
         [0044]    The CV joint outer race  10  is configured to include a conical raceway  11  for being in bearing contact with rolling elements  22  being retained thereto by spacer cage  23 , a machined journal  12  for bearing seal  3 , an integral coaxial outwardly extending axle  13  with external splines  14  to mate with internal splines  31  of hub  30 , a raised coaxial journal seat  17  for supporting journal surface  32  of hub  30 , a stepped down coaxial journal seat  18  for rotatably supporting internal coaxial bore  52  of adjusting nut  50 , a further stepped down coaxial journal seat  16  for rotatably supporting internal coaxial bore  54  of adjusting nut  50 , and a still further stepped down extension  15  is having an axially oriented keyway thereon to mate with lock washer  60  and threaded to engage matching threads of hub nut  4 .  
         [0045]    Inboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing subassembly comprising CV joint outer race  10 , rolling elements  22  and spacer cage  23 , includes the outer race  21  to be seated firmly in the counterbore  81  and be confronting internal shoulder  86  of upright  80 .  
         [0046]    Outboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing subassembly comprising hub  30 , rolling elements  43  and spacer cage  45 , includes outer the race  42  seated firmly in the counterbore  84  and confronting shoulder  87  of upright  80 .  
         [0047]    Inboard and outboard bearing seals  3  and  5  are in counterbores  83  and  85  respectively in suspension upright  80  prior to insertion of outer race of said CV joint  10  into said inboard bearing  20  in said upright, and prior to sliding hub  30  onto coaxial outwardly extending axle  13  of said CV joint outer race.  
         [0048]    Hub  30  includes internal splines  31  in its bore to mate with matching external splines  14  on the coaxial outwardly extending stub axle  13 , said hub having coaxial journal seats  32  and  33  for mating with corresponding journal surface  17  of axle  13 , and with journal surface  52  of adjusting nut  50  respectively, a first raised journal seat  37  for radially supporting inner race  41  of the outboard adjustable wheel bearing  40 , a shoulder  39  confronting face  44  of said inner race, a coaxially threaded bore  35  mating with threaded shank  53  of adjusting nut  50 , and a second raised coaxial journal seat  36  for coming into contact with outboard bearing seal  5 , and finally a hub flange  38  is provided with bolt holes  38   a  thereon for securing the threaded wheel mounting lugs  6  therein. Hub  30  is held securely in position on the CV joint&#39;s coaxial outwardly extending axle  13  by said wheel bearing adjusting nut  50 , keyed lock washer  60  and said hub lock nut  4  being threaded onto coaxial stepped down extension  15  of said CV joint&#39;s said outer race.  
         [0049]    Threaded shank  53  of said wheel bearing preload adjusting nut  50  is being engaged into the threaded bore  35  of hub  30 , raised journal surface  55  of said adjusting nut is ensconced within said hubs counterbore  33 , wherein there is formed an annular groove  33   a  for receiving O-ring  90  of rubber-like material thereto, said stub axle&#39;s journal surface  18  is in full contact with said hub&#39;s counterbore  52 , and counterbore  54  is in full contact with journal  16  of said coaxial outwardly extending integral axle.  
         [0050]    Keyed lock washer  60  is positioned between said wheel bearing preload adjusting nut  50  and hub retaining nut  4 , and said adjusting nut is prevented from post adjustment rotation by having any suitable bend tab  61  of keyed lock washer  60  bent onto any suitable flat of said hub retaining nut.  
         [0051]    A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11, a modified version of the preferred configuration; the same reference numerals are used for identical components.  
         [0052]    Referring to the drawing of the modified version of the preferred embodiment, the concept shown is essentially the same as that of the preferred embodiment, the exception being in the details of the outboard wheel bearing arrangement, wherein said bearing&#39;s inner race is not configured to make use of hub  30 , but rather said hub includes a coaxial journal seat  32  which is suitable for radially supporting the generic type of inner race  41  of outboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing  40 . In all other respects, this concept is identical to the one shown in FIG. 10.  
         [0053]    A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 12; similar reference numerals in the 200&#39;s are used for similar components.  
         [0054]    Referring to the drawing of the first alternate configuration and by reference numerals in the 200&#39;s thereto, in FIG. 2 there is illustrated in sectional view a wheel hub and axle drive arrangement which includes a CV joint outer race  210 , a inboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing generally designated by reference numeral  220 , a inboard bearing seal  203 , a wheel hub  230 , a hub retaining lock nut  204 , a outboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing  240 , a bearing preload adjusting nut  250 , a first keyed lock washer  260 , a grease retainer  207 , a second keyed lock washer  208  with_bend tabs  209 , a outboard bearing seal  270 , wheel mounting threaded lugs  206 , a brake disc  205 , and finally a suspension upright generally designated by reference numeral  280 .  
         [0055]    CV joint outer race  210  is configured to include a conical raceway  211  for mating with rolling elements  222  of adjustable partial wheel bearing  220 , a machined journal  212  for making contact with bearing seal  203 , an integral coaxial outwardly extending axle  213  with external splines  214  to mate with internal splines  231  of hub  230 , raised co-axial journal seats  216  and  217  for supporting journal surfaces  237  and  238  respectively of said hub, and a further stepped down extension  215  keyed to receive first lock washer  260  and threaded to mate with hub retaining nut  204 .  
         [0056]    Inboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing subassembly comprising CV joint outer race  210 , rolling elements  222  and spacer cage  223 , includes the outer race  221  to be seated firmly in the counterbore  281  and be confronting internal shoulder  286  of upright  280 .  
         [0057]    Hub  230  includes internal splines  231  in its bore to mate to matching external splines  214  of CV joint&#39;s coaxial outwardly extending axle  213 , a coaxial journal seat  232  which is suitable for radially supporting inner race  241  of outboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing  240 , a coaxial threaded raised shoulder  233  for engaging wheel bearing preload adjusting nut  250  is provided with any number of keyways  239  for mating to second keyed lock washer  208  and with keyed grease retainer  207 , and finally hub flange  235  is provided with bolt holes  235   a  thereon for securing the threaded lugs  206  into. Hub  230  is held in a desired preloaded condition on said CV joint&#39;s coaxial outwardly extending axle  213  by hub retaining lock nut  204  engaged to coaxial threaded extension  215  of said CV joint.  
         [0058]    Outboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing  240  of the complete type is provided with an inner race  241  for fitting onto hub journal seat  232 , an outer race  242  seated firmly into counter bore  285  of upright  280 , and finally rolling elements  243  and cage; cage is not shown.  
         [0059]    Wheel bearing preload adjusting nut  250  is turned onto threaded shoulder  233  of hub  230 , positioning second keyed lock washer  208  and grease retainer  207  between itself and inner race  241  of said outboard adjustable wheel bearing  240 . Bearing preload adjusting nut  250  is prevented from post adjustment rotation by having any suitable bend tab  209  of lock washer  208  bent into any suitable notch  251  of said adjusting nut  250 .  
         [0060]    Inboard bearing seal  203  is positioned in counterbore  283  in suspension upright  280  prior to insertion of outer race of said CV joint  210  into said inboard bearing  220  into said upright, and prior to sliding hub  230  onto coaxial outwardly extending axle  213  of said CV joint outer race.  
         [0061]    Grease retainer  207  is positioned between lock washer  208  and inner race  241  of adjustable wheel bearing  240 , while the outboard bearing seal  270  is of a three-element design, such that the two halves of the split element  271  are positioned on the front rim  286  of suspension upright  280  prior to positioning hub  230  onto coaxial outwardly extending axle  213  of said CV joint, and retaining clamp  273  of bearing seal  270  is fitted around said split element  271  after torquing down wheel bearing preload adjusting nut  250 , and folding a suitable bend tab  209  of second lock washer  208  into any one of a series of radially oriented notches  251  of said adjusting nut.  
         [0062]    A further embodiment, a second alternate configuration is illustrated in FIG. 13; similar reference numerals in the 300&#39;s are used for similar components.  
         [0063]    Referring to the drawing of the second alternate configuration and by reference numerals in the 300&#39;s thereto, in FIG. 6 there is illustrated in sectional view a wheel hub and axle drive mechanism which includes a CV joint outer race  310 , an inboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing generally designated by reference numeral  320 , an inboard bearing seal  303 , a wheel hub  330 , a hub retaining nut  304 , a outboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing  340 , an outboard bearing seal  305 , a brake disc  370 , and finally wheel mounting threaded lugs  306  and suspension upright generally designated by reference numeral  380 .  
         [0064]    The CV joint outer race  310  is configured to include a conical raceway  311  for being in bearing contact with rolling elements  322  being retained thereto by spacer cage  323 , a machined journal  312  for bearing seal  303 , an integral coaxial outwardly extending axle  313  with external splines  314  to mate with internal splines  331  of hub  330 , a raised coaxial journal seat  317  for supporting journal surface  332  of hub  330 , and stepped down coaxial journal seats  317  and  318  for supporting internal coaxial bores  332  and  333  respectively, a further stepped down extension  315  is having an axially oriented keyway thereon to mate with keyed lock washer  360 , and said extension is threaded to engage matching threads of hub retaining nut  304 .  
         [0065]    Inboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing subassembly comprising CV joint outer race  310 , rolling elements  322  and spacer cage  323 , includes the outer race  321  to be seated firmly in the counterbore  381  and be confronting internal shoulder  386  of upright  380 .  
         [0066]    Outboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing  340  of the complete type is provided with inner race  341  for fitting firmly onto hub journal seat  337  tightly up against hub shoulder  339 , and outer race  342  seated firmly into counterbore  384  and tightly up against upright internal shoulder  387  of upright  380 , and rolling elements  343  and cage; cage is not shown.  
         [0067]    Inboard and outboard bearing seals  303  and  305  are positioned in counterbores  383  and  385  respectively in suspension upright  380  prior to insertion of outer race of said CV joint  310  into said inboard bearing  320  in said upright, and prior to sliding hub  330  onto coaxial outwardly extending axle  313  of said CV joint outer race.  
         [0068]    Keyed lock washer  360  is positioned between said hub  330  and said bearing adjusting nut  304 , and said adjusting nut is prevented from post adjustment rotation by having any suitable bend tab  361  of lock washer  360  bent onto any suitable feature of said preload adjusting nut.  
         [0069]    Keyed lock washer  360  is positioned between said hub  330  and said bearing adjusting nut  304 , and said adjusting nut is prevented from post adjustment rotation by having any suitable bend tab  361  of lock washer  360  bent onto any suitable feature of said preload adjusting nut.  
         [0070]    A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 14, a modified version of the second alternate configuration; the same reference numerals are used for identical components.  
         [0071]    Referring to the drawing of the modified version of the modified version of the second alternate configuration and by the same reference numerals in the 300&#39;s thereto, the concept shown in FIG. 14 is essentially the same as that of the second alternate embodiment, the exception being in the details of the outboard wheel bearing arrangement, wherein said bearing&#39;s inner race is not configured to comprise hub  330 , but rather said hub includes a coaxial journal seat  337  which is suitable for radially supporting the generic type of inner race  341  of outboard adjustable rolling element wheel bearing  340 . In all other respects, this concept is identical to that shown in FIG. 13.  
         [0072]    The drawing in FIG. 15 is a detailed sectional view, showing the components for adjusting the wheel bearing preload in the preferred embodiment, wherein bearing preload adjusting nut  50  is engaged to threaded bore  35  of hub  30  by means of threaded shank  53 , and having raised journal  55  being in full contact with said hub&#39;s counterbore  33 , and wherein said adjusting nut is being held tightly against shoulder  19  of outwardly extending stub axle  13  of CV joint  10  by the retaining arrangement comprised of said wheel bearing adjusting nut  50 , lock washer  60  and hub retaining nut  4 , wherein said retaining nut is being threaded onto coaxial stepped down extension  15  of said outwardly extending stub axle.  
         [0073]    The drawing in FIG. 16 is a detailed sectional view, showing the components for adjusting the wheel bearing preload in the first alternate embodiment, wherein adjusting nut  250  is threaded onto shoulder  233 , and second lock washer  208  and grease retainer  207  are placed between said adjusting nut and inner race  241  of adjustable bearing  240 . In this design, hub  230  is being held tightly onto the outwardly extending axle  213  of CV joint  210 , by first lock washer  260  and hub lock nut  204 .  
         [0074]    It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purpose of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.