Patent ID: 8695215

Claim:
A method for assembling a balance shaft unit for use with internal combustion engines in motor vehicles, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of components associated with the balance shaft unit, the components including a housing part having a connection section and at least one bearing section extending outwardly from the connection section and having an opening, at least one rotating balance shaft, a drive gear, and at least one rolling element bearing for the axially fixed journaling of the balance shaft in the opening in the bearing section of the housing part, wherein the drive gear is fixed to one end of the balance shaft and is adapted to be driven by a rotary member of the internal combustion engine, wherein the bearing section of the housing part is closed in the peripheral direction and is made in one piece, wherein the rolling element bearing has a first ring section and a second ring section, wherein the first ring section is associated with the balance shaft and the second ring section is associated with the bearing section of the housing part; axially fixedly installing the rolling element bearing at the balance shaft or in the bearing section; cooling the balance shaft and/or heating the bearing section of the housing part; and introducing the balance shaft into the opening in the bearing section of the housing part and which is held there until a temperature compensation has taken place between the balance shaft and the housing part such that a shrink-fit connection (S) is established between the balance shaft and the first ring section of the rolling element bearing or between the second ring section of the rolling element bearing and the bearing section of the housing part.