Patent ID: 8136997

Claim:
A driveline assembly comprising: a driveline component housing; a pinion shaft located within the housing; a first bearing assembly including a first inner race supported on the pinion shaft, a first outer race supported in the housing, and a first bearing member therebetween; a second bearing assembly including a second inner race supported on the pinion shaft, a second outer race supported in the housing, and a second bearing member therebetween, wherein the second outer race is axially fixed relative to the housing; a spacer assembly located axially between the first and second bearing assemblies and including first and second members, the first member axially fixed on the pinion shaft and including an axial end defining a first generally conical surface, the second member including a first axial end engaged the second inner race of with the second bearing assembly and a second axial end defining a second generally conical surface abutting the first generally conical surface; and a load adjustment member engaged with the second bearing assembly and axially displaceable relative to the pinion shaft to advance the second member axially along the first generally conical surface of the first member and adjust a preload on the second bearing member of the second bearing assembly, axial displacement of the load adjustment member displacing the second member of the spacer axially and along the first generally conical surface to adjust a preload on the second bearing member of the second bearing assembly.