Abstract: A power takeoff unit for an automotive vehicle being a normally front-wheel drive vehicle that is convertible to all wheel drive. The takeoff unit includes an input shaft supported in a housing, the input shaft is torsionally connected with a transmission of said vehicle. An output shaft concentric with the input shaft is provided, the output shaft is torsionally connected with the rear wheels of the vehicle. A shift collar to selectively connect said input shaft with said output shaft is provided. A shift fork is provided to translate the shift collar, the shift fork having a main body with a bore. A cylinder is connected with the housing. A piston is slidably mounted within said cylinder. A headed fastener is provided with a shank extending through the shift fork main body bore. The fastener head engages the shift fork, the fastener's shank being threadably engaged with the piston to capture the shift fork with the piston.

Abstract: An arrangement of a vehicle is provided having normal transverse engine/transmission normal two-wheel drive operation which can be selectively placed into four-wheel drive operation wherein a pump which powers the coupling or uncoupling is independent of the transmission lubrication pump and is powered by the transmission.

Abstract: A number of variations may comprise a method comprising: a lubrication system for a transfer case comprising: actively managing an oil level in a plurality of sumps in a transfer case by rotating at least one rotating element in the transfer case to transfer oil through the transfer case to lubricate the transfer case.

Abstract: An arrangement of a vehicle is provided having normal transverse engine/transmission normal two-wheel drive operation which can be selectively placed into four-wheel drive operation wherein a pump which powers the coupling or uncoupling can be positioned downstream of a power takeoff unit without utilization of an electrically powered pump or transmission powered pump.

Abstract: A power takeoff unit for an automotive vehicle being a normally front-wheel drive vehicle that is convertible to all wheel drive. The takeoff unit includes an input shaft supported in a housing, the input shaft is torsionally connected with a transmission of said vehicle. An output shaft concentric with the input shaft is provided, the output shaft is torsionally connected with the rear wheels of the vehicle. A shift collar to selectively connect said input shaft with said output shaft is provided. A shift fork is provided to translate the shift collar, the shift fork having a main body with a bore. A cylinder is connected with the housing. A piston is slidably mounted within said cylinder. A headed fastener is provided with a shank extending through the shift fork main body bore. The fastener head engages the shift fork, the fastener's shank being threadably engaged with the piston to capture the shift fork with the piston.

Abstract: An arrangement of a vehicle is provided having normal transverse engine/transmission normal two-wheel drive operation which can be selectively placed into four-wheel drive operation wherein a pump which powers the coupling or uncoupling is independent of the transmission lubrication pump and is powered by the transmission.

Abstract: A number of variations may comprise a method comprising: a lubrication system for a transfer case comprising: actively managing an oil level in a plurality of sumps in a transfer case by rotating at least one rotating element in the transfer case to transfer oil through the transfer case to lubricate the transfer case.

Abstract: An arrangement of a vehicle is provided having normal transverse engine/transmission normal two-wheel drive operation which can be selectively placed into four-wheel drive operation wherein a pump which powers the coupling or uncoupling can be positioned downstream of a power takeoff unit without utilization of an electrically powered pump or transmission powered pump.

Abstract: A differential assembly includes a differential housing including a substantially spherically shaped chamber. A pair of side gears are rotatably positioned in the chamber in driving communication with a pair of pinion gears. A pair of springs are positioned in engagement with the end faces of the side gears to minimize gear lash between the side gears and the pinion gears.

Abstract: A differential assembly includes a differential housing including a substantially spherically shaped chamber. A pair of spherically shaped side gears are rotatably positioned in the chamber in driving communication with a pair of spherically shaped pinion gears. A pair of springs are positioned in engagement with the end faces of the side gears to minimize gear lash between the side gears and the pinion gears.

Abstract: A gear assembly comprising a linear differential disposed at the gear assembly wherein the linear differential has a predetermined ratio from an input shaft to an output shaft, the ratio being adjustable by axially rotating the linear differential. A method of adjusting steering output as compared to steering input, which comprises powering a motor in operable communication with a worm and worm gear mechanism and rotating the worm and the worm gear mechanism fixed to a differential carrier. The method also comprises rotating the differential carrier, which comprises an input sun gear meshed with input differential planet gear, an input differential planet gear meshed with an output differential planet gear, and an output sun gear meshed with the output differential planet gear. The method further comprises rotating the output sun gear fixed to a differential output shaft.

Abstract: A gear assembly comprising a linear differential disposed at the gear assembly wherein the linear differential has a predetermined ratio from an input shaft to an output shaft, the ratio being adjustable by axially rotating the linear differential. A method of adjusting steering output as compared to steering input, which comprises powering a motor in operable communication with a worm and worm gear mechanism and rotating the worm and the worm gear mechanism fixed to a differential carrier. The method also comprises rotating the differential carrier, which comprises an input sun gear meshed with input differential planet gear, an input differential planet gear meshed with an output differential planet gear, and an output sun gear meshed with the output differential planet gear. The method further comprises rotating the output sun gear fixed to a differential output shaft.