Abstract: A tandem axle assembly includes an interaxle differential mechanism which includes a separate lubricant sump for providing lubrication to the interaxle differential during both initial start-up and normal running conditions. One of the interaxle differential side gears is disk-shaped, and includes internally formed side gear teeth in a planar rear face, internally formed clutch teeth in a planar front face, and external teeth around the radial periphery. The interaxle differential is coupled to divide power to two separate axle differential assemblies. Each axle differential assembly includes a pair of pinion gears having spherical gear seats and a pair of side gears having conical gear seats. Each axle differential assembly is rotatably supported within a housing by a pair of tapered roller bearings. The outer race of each bearing is located within an end of the carrier, while the inner race is positioned on a reduced diameter hub of a bearing retainer threaded into an opening in the housing.

Abstract: A tandem axle assembly includes an interaxle differential mechanism coupled to divide power between two separate axle differential assemblies. Each axle differential assembly includes a pair of pinion gears having spherical gear seats and a pair of side gears having conical gear seats. Each axle differential assembly is rotatably supported within a housing by a pair of tapered roller bearings. The outer race of each bearing is located within an end of a differential case, while the inner race is positioned on a reduced diameter hub of a bearing retainer threaded into an opening in the housing. The opening in the housing is sized such that the bearing retainer having the inner race and an associated roller cage assembly thereon can be inserted therethrough during the assembly process. Also, the interaxle differential includes a separate lubricant sump for providing lubrication to the interaxle differential upon initial start-up conditions.

Abstract: A steerable driving axle assembly is provided with a centrally located differential assembly which is fixed to a vehicle frame member and includes a pair of axle drive shafts having inner ends coupled to output shafts of the differential assembly. Each of the axle drive shafts is surrounded by a separate axle tube which has an inner end pivotally attached to the housing of the differential assembly. Each of the axle drive shafts has an outer end coupled to drive a separate rotatable wheel member which is rotatably supported by a mounting portion of a wheel assembly. In accordance with the present invention, the outer end of each axle tube is pivotally coupled to the mounting portion of the wheel assembly by a king pin mounting arrangement.

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.