Abstract: A hubcap for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle seals an outboard end of the wheel end assembly. The wheel end assembly includes a wheel hub formed with a cavity that contains lubricant, and the hubcap positively engages and mounts on the outboard end of the wheel hub to prevent the escape of lubricant and the ingress of contaminants. The integrally-formed hubcap includes a generally cylindrical sidewall and an outboard wall that extends generally perpendicular to the sidewall. A lip extends inboardly from and a shoulder extends radially outwardly from an inboard end of the sidewall, and the lip and shoulder cooperate to positively mechanically engage the outboard end of the wheel hub. An O-ring is disposed between the lip and the wheel hub to provide a seal. The hubcap also is adapted to accommodate components of a tire inflation system and other auxiliary components.

Abstract: An axle spindle nut assembly secures a wheel end assembly on an axle spindle. The wheel end assembly includes outboard and inboard outboard bearings that are immovably mounted on the axle spindle, and a wheel hub which is rotatably mounting on the bearings. The spindle nut assembly includes a nut that threads onto an outboard end of the axle spindle, and is tightened against the outboard bearing to a selected torque level. The nut includes an outboard surface that is formed with a plurality of features. A washer is formed with a tab that engages a keyway of the axle spindle outboardly of the nut, and with a plurality of mating features that mechanically engage the features formed in the outboard surface of the nut to prevent substantial rotation of the nut after the nut has been tightened to the selected torque level.

Abstract: A wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a pair of bearings mounted on an axle spindle, and a wheel hub rotatably mounted on the bearings so that the bearings, the axle spindle, and the wheel hub generally define a cavity in the wheel end assembly. The wheel hub is formed with a port that communicates with the cavity and atmosphere. A lubricant cartridge includes a generally rigid body defining a chamber for containing a predetermined amount of semi-fluid grease. The cartridge also includes a generally rigid nozzle that is connected to the body and is in fluid communication with the chamber. The nozzle defines an opening and is formed with features for removably connecting the cartridge to the wheel hub port. Semi-fluid grease is urged from the cartridge chamber through the nozzle, through the port, and into the cavity to lubricate the wheel end assembly.