Patent ID: 7131201

Claim:
A method of assembly of a coupling device to an input ring gear, for eventual installation within an axle housing, said method of assembly comprising the steps of: providing a housing defining a clutch cavity, a clutch assembly disposed in said clutch cavity, a clutch apply member disposed in a pressure chamber and operable to bias said clutch assembly into torque transmitting relationship in response to the presence of pressurized fluid in said pressure chamber; said coupling device including a plenum member operably associated with said housing to define a fluid flow path providing fluid communication between a reservoir disposed within said axle housing and said pressure chamber, said fluid flow path being in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid; said housing including a flange portion defining a plurality of fastener holes and being adapted to have said input ring gear attached thereto by means of a plurality of fasteners; said plenum member comprising a generally annular plenum portion, and a plurality of required features extending from said plenum portion; configuring said plenum member such that each of said required features is disposed circumferentially between an adjacent pair of said fastener holes; installing said input ring gear about said housing of said coupling device, from an axial end opposite said plenum member, into assembly position adjacent said flange portion; inserting each of said plurality of said fasteners through one of said fastener holes and into initial threaded engagement with said input ring gear; and driving, by means of a fastener driver, all of said plurality of fasteners into full threaded engagement, substantially simultaneously, with said input ring gear.