Abstract: The present disclosure includes a vehicle drive assembly including a wheel bearing and a half shaft. The wheel bearing defines a receptacle including internal splines. A bearing face of the wheel bearing defines an opening to the receptacle. The half shaft includes a joint housing and a stem extending from the joint housing. The stem is configured to be seated within the receptacle of the wheel bearing. The stem includes a splined portion, a shoulder, and a stop surface. The splined portion includes a plurality of external splines configured to mesh with the internal splines. The shoulder is between the splined portion and the joint housing. The shoulder has a maximum outer diameter that is greater than a minor diameter of the internal splines of the wheel bearing. A stop surface is between the splined portion and the shoulder, the stop surface configured to contact ends of the internal splines of the wheel bearing to stop the joint housing from moving into contact with the bearing face.

Abstract: Systems and methods of making an enhanced brake rotor having enhanced wear resistance are provided. The systems and methods provide a vehicular rotor comprising a base comprising iron (Fe). The base comprises an outer surface having a laser-hardened portion thereon. The laser-hardened portion comprises martensite and having a thickness of between 10 and 100 microns of the outer surface to define the enhanced brake rotor with enhanced wear resistance.

Abstract: Systems and methods of making an enhanced vehicular brake rotor having improved wear and corrosion resistance are provided. The enhanced vehicular brake rotor comprises a brake rotor comprising a base comprised of iron (Fe). The base comprises an outer surface having open pores formed thereon. The rotor has a steam-treated layer formed on the outer surface and in the open pores. The steam-treated layer is comprised of iron oxide (Fe3O4) and has a thickness of between 10 and 50 microns for enhanced wear and corrosion resistance to define the enhanced vehicular rotor.

Abstract: Systems and methods of making an enhanced brake rotor having enhanced wear resistance are provided. The systems and methods provide a vehicular rotor comprising a base comprising iron (Fe). The base comprises an outer surface having a laser-hardened portion thereon. The laser-hardened portion comprises martensite and having a thickness of between 10 and 100 microns of the outer surface to define the enhanced brake rotor with enhanced wear resistance.

Abstract: A brake rotor for a braking system of a motor vehicle is provided. The brake rotor includes a disc section for rotating about a longitudinal axis and engaging a brake pad assembly. The brake rotor further includes a hat section for attaching to a wheel. The hat section has a stepped surface spaced from the disc section along the longitudinal axis, and the stepped surface defines a recess for spacing the wheel and a portion of the stepped surface from one another when the wheel is attached to the hat section.

Abstract: A brake rotor for a braking system of a motor vehicle is provided. The brake rotor includes a disc section for rotating about a longitudinal axis and engaging a brake pad assembly. The brake rotor further includes a hat section for attaching to a wheel. The hat section has a stepped surface spaced from the disc section along the longitudinal axis, and the stepped surface defines a recess for spacing the wheel and a portion of the stepped surface from one another when the wheel is attached to the hat section.