Abstract: A drive transfer assembly for a low profile vehicle. The assembly is mounted to a differential housing and includes an input and axially aligned output shafts. One of the output shafts is preferably a pinion shaft for the primary axle differential. A clutch is operative under certain conditions to drive the other output shaft. A spring biased disc clutch is disclosed. The transfer assembly will provide a full four-wheel drive in the clutch engaged mode of operation and in the other mode of operation, depending upon the size of biasing force of the springs employed, may either deliver some proportion of the available torque to the auxiliary axle or allow the auxiliary axle to run free as in a conventional vehicle.

Abstract: A multiple disc friction brake assembly for a drive axle outer end of the planetary reduction type. A plurality of axially movable brake discs are provided internally of a wheel hub with alternate discs being fixed against rotation relative to the axle housing and intermediate discs being non-rotatably secured to one of the rotary elements in the final drive downstream of the axle shaft input.