Patent ID: 6869151

Claim:
A wheelend assembly for a corner module of a motor vehicle, wherein the corner module includes a knuckle having a bore adapted to receive and support the wheelend assembly, the wheelend assembly comprising: a shaft having an inboard end, an outboard end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft includes a contoured peripheral surface portion proximate to the outboard end, the contoured surface portion including at least three crests when viewed in lateral cross-section, each crest having a maximum crest diameter that remains substantially constant over a first length of the shaft; a bearing assembly supporting the shaft for rotation in the bore of the knuckle, the bearing assembly including at least one inner race having a bearing face generally normal to the longitudinal axis of the shaft; and a hub mounted on the shaft proximate to the outboard end, wherein the hub includes an outboard wheel-mounting face and an inboard face, the inboard face of the hub directly abutting the bearing face, and wherein the hub includes a central portion with a central bore adapted to matingly receive the contoured peripheral surface portion of the shaft such that the hub rotates with the shaft, the central bore engaging the contoured peripheral surface portion of the shaft along a second length of the shaft within the first length.