Patent ID: 8205733

Claim:
An integrated wheel end including a movable clutch ring having internal splines for selective engagement between an engaged and disengaged position to transfer driving torque from an externally splined drive shaft to an externally splined wheel end coupler supported within an integrated wheel end by a bearing assembly including an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements, comprising: a clutch ring abutment means disposed independently of the wheel end coupler and integral with an inboard bearing grease retainer ring fitted between the inner and outer races of the bearing assembly, said abutment means configured to limit axial travel of the movable clutch ring relative to the wheel end coupler by abutting contact with an annular axial end surface of the clutch ring in response to stresses on a component in abutting contact with a structure of said wheel end for positioning said clutch ring; and wherein said clutch ring abutment means is an axial extension of said inboard bearing grease retainer ring.