Abstract: A vent system for a wheel hub comprising a first filtered vent at the wheel end cavity and a second vent formed by a one-way, pressure relief valve venting the axle tube to atmosphere. The vent system defines a vent path from the wheel end cavity through a first, preferably filtered, vent into the axle tube then through a second check valve connecting the axle tube to atmosphere. A porous material is positioned to cover the vent passage at the wheel end cavity for allowing a flow of gases to enter and exit the vent passage while preventing liquids and other contaminants from traveling therethrough. The porous material is held in place over the vent by a snap ring or other suitable retention system disposed within the vented plug member.

Abstract: An improved bushing assembly for the inboard end of a brake cam shaft is provided with a bushing which establishes a grease flow pathway within the bushing assembly. Grease enters a cavity formed from a pair of housing halves which contain the bushing through a grease zerk which is directly connected to a first radial hole in the bushing, so the fresh grease injected goes directly to the grease reservoir between the bushing and the shaft. Flow channels provided in the bushing interior surface guide the grease around the shaft to a second radial hole which is diametrically opposite the first radial hole. A seal on the shaft restricts grease flow outwardly from the bushing along the shaft. Grease may be purged through the second radial hole to an annular space between the bushing and the interior surfaces of the housing halves, from which the grease may exit the housing around the periphery of a window in one of the housing halves through which the grease zerk passes.

Abstract: A vehicle differential includes a clutch assembly and a hydraulic actuator for selectively preventing relative rotation between a pair of vehicle half axles. The differential assembly has an outer housing rotatably mounting a gear case and ring gear therein. A planetary gear assembly is coupled between the gear case and one half axle. The planetary gear assembly is also coupled to a sun gear which in turn is coupled to the other half axle. The clutch assembly is coupled between the gear case and the sun gear. An annular manifold is fixedly mounted in the outer housing and sealingly engages an outer surface of the gear case for supplying pressured hydraulic fluid to actuate a piston in a cylinder formed in the gear case which in turn actuates the clutch assembly. The pressure of the hydraulic fluid determines a range of torque differentials for which the clutch assembly will prevent relative rotation between the half axles.

Abstract: An improved limited slip differential gear assembly for driving each axle of a pair of coaxially aligned vehicle axles at the same rotational speed or at relatively different rotational speeds as conditions require. The assembly includes an improved externally controllable clutch mechanism for preventing excessive relative rotation of the axles. The amount of the clutch force being applied to resist relative rotation may be varied independently of the relative rotational speed of the axles and also of the torque level in the gear assembly. Preferably the clutch mechanism is incorporated in a planetary wheel type differential and is activated electromagnetically. The clutch mechanism may include a cam operated supplemental clutch device for applying an additional clutch force in response to any continued relative rotation which may occur after the first clutching force has been applied by the electromagnet.

Abstract: An improved limited slip differential gear assembly for driving each axle of a pair of coaxially aligned vehicle axles at the same rotational speed or at relatively different rotational speeds as conditions require. The assembly includes an improved externally controllable clutch mechanism for preventing excessive relative rotation of the axles. The amount of the clutch force being applied to resist relative rotation may be varied independently of the relative rotational speed of the axles and also of the torque level in the gear assembly. Preferably the clutch mechanism is incorporated in a planetary wheel type differential and is activated electromagnetically. The clutch mechanism may include a cam operated supplemental clutch device for applying an additional clutch force in response to any continued relative rotation which may occur after the first clutching force has been applied by the electromagnet.