Abstract: An axle outer end is disclosed including a planetary reduction drive unit and a multiple disc friction brake. The friction brake includes a plurality of rotatable and non-rotatable discs for selectively interconnecting the ring and sun gears of the planetary drive unit. The friction brake also includes a piston for engaging and moving the discs into frictional contact with the planetary drive unit carrier to restrain rotation of the sun gear and output member. The piston is contained in a chamber formed by a portion of the planetary drive unit ring gear and a portion of an adapter secured to the outer end of a non-rotatable spindle. An improved oil circulation system is incorporated in the axle outer end to supply oil to the disc stack and permit the oil to return the main oil sump.

Abstract: An axle outer end is disclosed including a planetary reduction drive unit and a multiple disc friction brake. The friction brake includes a plurality of rotatable and non-rotatable discs for selectively interconnecting the ring and sun gears of the planetary drive unit. The friction brake also includes a piston for engaging and moving the discs into frictional contact with the planetary drive unit carrier to restrain rotation of the sun gear and output member. The piston is contained in a chamber formed by a portion of the planetary drive unit ring gear and a portion of an adapter secured to the outer end of a non-rotatable spindle. An improved oil circulation system is incorporated in the axle outer end to supply oil to the disc stack and permit the oil to return the main oil sump.

Abstract: A slip spline assembly includes a splined stub shaft slidably received in a splined bore of a yoke member. A sealing plug is provided at one end of the yoke bore to maintain lubricant on the splines and prevent ingress of foreign matter. A plurality of resilient fingers on the plug snap into an annular groove formed in the yoke bore to positively retain the plug. A vent opening in the plug relieves pressure in the closed end of the yoke when the splined shaft slides toward the yoke closed end.

Abstract: A housing assembly is disclosed having coacting first and second cover members enclosing a universal joint which drivingly connects drive and driven shafts of a steering drive axle. Each cover member has an inner spherical portion and an outer end portion. The spherical portions overlie and fit within each other while the end portion of one cover member is fixed to a wheel spindle and the end portion of the other cover member is resiliently connected to an axle housing. The resilient connection permits the cover member to float relative to the axle housing during steering to accomodate for runout between the wheel spindle and axle housing axes thus overcoming any tendency for the cover members to bind or become wedged with respect to each other.

Abstract: A drive unit is disclosed having interlocking members for directly connecting angularly disposed drive and driven shafts. The interlocking members comprise conventional pinion mate and side gear blanks supported in a standard differential housing driven by a drive shaft through a ring and pinion gear set. Pinion mate gear blanks are connected by the usual cross shaft to the differential housing. Side gear blanks cooperate with the pinion mate gear blanks and are connected to the driven shaft. Integral locking surfaces provided on the mating gear blanks cooperate to prevent the side gear blanks from rotating relative to the differential housing so that a direct drive power path is established between the drive and driven shafts.

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly is disclosed having an annular spring compressed between a clutch cover and a plurality of externally located release levers. The spring has tongues cooperating with indentations on the outside of the cover to centrally locate the spring and prevent it from rotating relative to the cover. An abutment may be formed on the cover for engagement by the spring to indicate when the clutch is in a fully worn position.

Abstract: A torque transfer mechanism is disclosed for incorporation in a four-wheel drive vehicle for establishing high and low speed power paths to front and rear drive axles. The torque transfer mechanism comprises an input shaft for receiving power from an engine and a pair of output shafts for delivering power to the drive axles. Constant mesh gearing is provided to operatively connect the input and output shafts in desired power paths. The gearing comprises an input gear set and an output gear set. Each gear set includes a plurality of gears provided with clutch means adapted to be selectively engaged by a pair of clutch collars. The clutch collars can be operated simultaneously in the same axial direction by a single shift fork to drive the front and rear axles in either the high or low speed power path.

Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly is disclosed having coaxial damper springs between rotary elements of the disc assembly. Each element has spring receiving openings with the end walls which permit the springs to operate in two stages, thereby varying the deflection rate between the rotary elements.

Abstract: A clutch driven disc assembly is disclosed having coaxial damPer springs between rotary elements of the disc assembly. An auxiliary cover is combined with a main cover to drive the inner springs and to create additional drive surfaces for the outer springs. Aligned openings in the main and auxiliary covers house the coaxial springs. The covers are secured to one of the rotary elements of the disc assembly so that side walls in the main and auxiliary cover openings engage and drive both springs while the inner spring is engaged and driven only by the opening side walls of the auxiliary cover.

Abstract: A king pin assembly is disclosed having threadedly connected housings for supporting a removable king pin. Each housing has guide for engaging portions of the king pin to rigidly retain it in place. Positioning means formed on the king pin and one of the housings cooperate to centrally locate and prevent king pin rotation when the parts are assembled.