Abstract: An axle carrier housing for a beam axle assembly having at least one continuous transversely extending support rib with a portion of the support rib swept longitudinally rearward of a pair of axle tubes. The support rib has end portions initiating adjacent where the axle tubes connect to the housing and a central portion extending offset from the axle tubes. The central portion of the support rib provides a portion of an access cover attachment surface. The housing may define a pair of support ribs substantially mirroring each other on lower and upper portions of the housing. The support ribs provide for a structural member substantial enough to handle the loads of the axle assembly while also minimizing both the weight of the housing and fluid volume.

Abstract: An axle carrier housing for a beam axle assembly having at least one continuous transversely extending support rib with a portion of the support rib swept longitudinally rearward of a pair of axle tubes. The support rib has end portions initiating adjacent where the axle tubes connect to the housing and a central portion extending offset from the axle tubes. The central portion of the support rib provides a portion of an access cover attachment surface. The housing may define a pair of support ribs substantially mirroring each other on lower and upper portions of the housing. The support ribs provide for a structural member substantial enough to handle the loads of the axle assembly while also minimizing both the weight of the housing and fluid volume.

Abstract: A cover for an axle carrier assembly having a carrier-mounting surface on a first side, vehicle-mounting surfaces on a second side, and first and second support ribs extending between the vehicle-mounting surfaces on the second side to provide support for the axle carrier assembly. The first and second support ribs may extend across the second side of the cover connecting the vehicle-mounting surfaces to each other. The first and second support ribs may extend opposite from and adjacent to the carrier-mounting surface. A section of the second support rib may extend below a horizontal centerline on the cover.

Abstract: A differential assembly includes a housing defining a space containing a volume of hydraulic fluid, the housing including interior surfaces. A gear that rotates in the housing includes surfaces that pass through the fluid as the gear rotates and on which the fluid is carried to the interior surfaces of the housing. A bearing located in the housing is supplied with fluid from a fluid path that hydraulically connects the interior surfaces and the bearing.

Abstract: A differential axle assembly includes an axle housing having a pair of opposed openings. A differential gear set includes a pair of side gears. Each of the side gears are supported within one of the opposed openings. A plurality of pinion gears engage the side gears. A hypoid ring gear is rotatably supported within the axle housing and a pinion shaft is supported by the hypoid ring gear. The pinion shaft supports the pinion gears in engagement with the side gears. The hypoid ring gear includes a cylindrical inner diameter having a pair of axially spaced inwardly facing annular surfaces and the axle housing includes a pair of axially spaced outwardly facing annular surfaces. The hypoid ring gear is rotatably supported within the axle housing by a pair of roller bearings positioned between the annular surfaces.

Abstract: A differential axle assembly includes an axle housing having a pair of opposed openings. A differential gear set includes a pair of side gears. Each of the side gears are supported within one of the opposed openings A plurality of pinion gears engage the side gears. A hypoid ring gear is rotatably supported within the axle housing and a pinion shaft is supported by the hypoid ring gear. The pinion shaft supports the pinion gears in engagement with the side gears. The hypoid ring gear includes a cylindrical inner diameter having a pair of axially spaced inwardly facing annular surfaces and the axle housing includes a pair of axially spaced outwardly facing annular surfaces. The hypoid ring gear is rotatably supported within the axle housing by a pair of roller bearings positioned between the annular surfaces.