Abstract: An axle has a journal to which an antifriction bearing is fitted on an enlarged or dust guard section located beyond the journal, with a fillet leading from the journal up to the enlarged section. A backing ring fits over and against the fillet of the journal and has a counterbore that receives the adjacent end of the enlarged section. A stabilizing ring fits into the counterbore of the backing ring and around the enlarged section of the journal to stabilize the backing ring and thereby reduce radial and circumferential movement between it and the fillet of the journal. The stabilizing ring includes a rigidifying element that fits over the enlarged section of the axle with an interference fit and a more flexible compression member that lies within the counterbore where it exists in a state of compression between the counterbore and the rigidifying element. The stabilizing ring allows some microaxial movement of the backing ring.

Abstract: An axle has a journal to which an antifriction bearing is fitted on an enlarged or dust guard section located beyond the journal, with a fillet leading from the journal up to the enlarged section. A backing ring fits over and against the fillet of the journal and has a counterbore that receives the adjacent end of the enlarged section. A stabilizing ring fits into the counterbore of the backing ring and around the enlarged section of the journal to stabilize the backing ring and thereby reduce radial and circumferential movement between it and the fillet of the journal. The stabilizing ring includes a rigidifying element that fits over the enlarged section of the axle with an interference fit and a more flexible compression member that lies within the counterbore where it exists in a state of compression between the counterbore and the rigidifying element. The stabilizing ring allows some microaxial movement of the backing ring.

Abstract: A compact wheel end for an automotive vehicle includes a housing, a hub having a drive flange and a spindle projecting from the flange into the housing, and an antifriction bearing located between the housing and the hub spindle. The spindle at its inboard end has an abutment, and the bearing has an inner race that is spaced from the abutment. Captured between the abutment and inner race is a splined coupler ring. It abuts the inner race at a back face on the inner race and has a beveled end that extends into an annular recess in the inner race. The drive flange of the hub has a shallow recess that receives the outboard end of the housing. The annular recess in the inner race and the shallow recess in the drive flange render the wheel end highly compact.

Abstract: An integrated wheel end which includes a movable clutch ring for selective engagement between an engaged and disengaged position for transferring driving torque from a drive shaft to the wheel end. The integrated wheel end incorporates a clutch ring abutment feature or travel limiter configured to position the movable clutch ring relative to a coupler on the wheel end during assembly with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly endcap 200 configured with a pilot structure 202 defined by radially-inner and radially-outer annular portions 202a, 202b joined by an annular bend 202c disposed between a central face 204 of the endcap and an outer peripheral flange 206. The pilot structure 202 projects in an axially outboard direction along the axis X of the wheel bearing assembly 100 for fitment within an inner diameter surface 112 of an outer axial member 106, to facilitate sealing and a spring-biased retention of the endcap 200 within the wheel bearing assembly 100. The outer peripheral flange 206, which is contiguous with the pilot structure 202, seats against an inboard end face 114 of the wheel bearing assembly 100 outer axial member 106 to provide a positive axial stop, and is configured as an additional sealing element to reduce contaminate ingress between the endcap 200 and the interior surfaces of the wheel bearing assembly 100.

Abstract: A travel limiter associated with a wheel end adapted to selectively engage and disengage a drive shaft via a sliding clutch ring. The travel limiter operatively disposed on a coupler of the wheel end and configured to limit axial displacement of the sliding clutch ring towards the wheel assembly when engaging the drive shaft.

Abstract: An integrated wheel end which includes a movable clutch ring for selective engagement between an engaged and disengaged position for transferring driving torque from a drive shaft to the wheel end. The integrated wheel end incorporates a clutch ring abutment feature or travel limiter configured to position the movable clutch ring relative to a coupler on the wheel end during assembly with the drive shaft.

Abstract: A highly compact wheel end (A) for an automotive vehicle includes a housing (2), a hub (4) having a hollow spindle (18) that projects into the housing, and an antifriction bearing (6) located between the housing and the hub spindle. The housing is configured for attachment to a suspension system component (C), whereas the hub has a drive flange (14) for securement of a road wheel (B) The bearing includes an inboard inner race (32) that fits around the hub spindle and has a recess (40) that at least partially receives a formed end (26) at the end of the spindle. In addition, the wheel end has a coupler ring (8) that fits into the inboard end of the spindle and is provided with an enlarged end (52, 86) that projects a short distance from the end of the spindle where it is provided with an external spline (54, 88) for engagement with a slidable clutch ring (66, 90).