Abstract: A pinion shaft assembly facilitates assembly of an automotive differential. An angular contact double row ball bearing is assembled to an outer surface of a hollow pinion shaft. An axial pre-load is established and maintained by orbitally forming an outwardly turned portion of the hollow pinion shaft. In some embodiments, the two inner rings are assembled to the pinion shaft. In other embodiments, a raceway may be formed directly on an outer surface of the pinion shaft to eliminate one of the inner rings. The pinion shaft includes a spline, such as an axial spline or a face spline, for fixation to a driveshaft.

Abstract: A pinion shaft assembly facilitates assembly of an automotive differential. An angular contact double row ball bearing is assembled to an outer surface of a hollow pinion shaft. An axial pre-load is established and maintained by orbitally forming an outwardly turned portion of the hollow pinion shaft. In some embodiments, the two inner rings are assembled to the pinion shaft. In other embodiments, a raceway may be formed directly on an outer surface of the pinion shaft to eliminate one of the inner rings. The pinion shaft includes a spline, such as an axial spline or a face spline, for fixation to a driveshaft.

Abstract: A tandem ball bearing, including: an axis of rotation; outer and inner races; a cage radially disposed between the inner and outer races and including a surface, the surface facing at least partially in a first axial direction and bounding a portion of the cage extending furthest in the first axial direction; a first roller ball disposed in the cage and radially disposed between the inner and outer races; a second roller ball disposed in the cage radially outwardly of the first roller ball; and a channel bounded by the inner race and the cage and including an opening facing in the first axial direction and bounded by the inner race and the first surface of the cage. A first line, in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, passes through in sequence: the cage; the channel; the inner race; and the first roller ball.

Abstract: A tandem ball bearing, including: an axis of rotation; outer and inner races; a cage radially disposed between the inner and outer races and including a surface, the surface facing at least partially in a first axial direction and bounding a portion of the cage extending furthest in the first axial direction; a first roller ball disposed in the cage and radially disposed between the inner and outer races; a second roller ball disposed in the cage radially outwardly of the first roller ball; and a channel bounded by the inner race and the cage and including an opening facing in the first axial direction and bounded by the inner race and the first surface of the cage. A first line, in a second axial direction, opposite the first axial direction, passes through in sequence: the cage; the channel; the inner race; and the first roller ball.