Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a differential carrier, a bearing cap, and a lubricant reservoir. The differential carrier has a bearing support. The bearing cap is disposed on the bearing support. The lubricant reservoir is mounted on the bearing cap and is configured to capture lubricant that is splashed by the differential assembly.

Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a differential carrier, a bearing cap, and a lubricant reservoir. The differential carrier has a bearing support. The bearing cap is disposed on the bearing support. The lubricant reservoir is mounted on the bearing cap and is configured to capture lubricant that is splashed by the differential assembly.

Abstract: A method of making an interaxle differential unit. The method may include piercing a workpiece and then ring roll forging the workpiece to form an annular case that is a seamless ring. The annular case may be heat treated before installing an interaxle differential unit gear nest inside the annular case.

Abstract: A retaining formation defined on a brake lever of an air disc brake includes a push fit/snap fit connection for releasably securing a push rod to a brake lever. The retaining formation can include a pinned connection and a ball and socket joint, and a main axis of the pinned connection is coincident with a center of rotation of the ball and socket joint. The retaining formation can include a concave formation on one of the push rod and the brake lever and a corresponding convex formation on the other of the push rod and the brake lever. The concave formation at least partially surrounds the convex formation to prevent axial separation of the push rod and the brake lever. A method of assembling a brake subassembly includes the steps of assembling a push rod and a brake lever including a retaining formation such that at least a portion of the retaining formation deforms during assembly and resiles when the push rod is assembled to the brake lever to provide a snap fit connection therebetween.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a caliper having a first side portion connected to a second side portion by two circumferentially spaced bridge arms. The brake assembly includes a first brake pad and a second brake pad that are interchangeable and each having first and second circumferential ends. Each of the first and second brake pads have a pad formation remote from the first and second circumferential ends. The first brake pad is fitted in the first side portion of the caliper with the pad formation of the first brake pad engaging a caliper formation of the first portion side of the caliper for transferring braking torque loads from the first brake pad to the first side portion of the caliper.

Abstract: A retaining formation defined on a brake lever of an air disc brake includes a push fit/snap fit connection for releasably securing a push rod to a brake lever. The retaining formation can include a pinned connection and a ball and socket joint, and a main axis of the pinned connection is coincident with a center of rotation of the ball and socket joint. The retaining formation can include a concave formation on one of the push rod and the brake lever and a corresponding convex formation on the other of the push rod and the brake lever. The concave formation at least partially surrounds the convex formation to prevent axial separation of the push rod and the brake lever. A method of assembling a brake subassembly includes the steps of assembling a push rod and a brake lever including a retaining formation such that at least a portion of the retaining formation deforms during assembly and resiles when the push rod is assembled to the brake lever to provide a snap fit connection therebetween.

Abstract: A trailer axle assembly includes a non-rotating axle tube that extends laterally between a pair of wheel ends. Each wheel end supports a disc brake assembly that selectively generates a braking force to slow or stop rotation of the wheel ends. The disc brake assemblies include a torque plate that is mounted to the axle tube. The axle tube includes a radial location feature that holds the torque plate fixed relative to the axle tube so that rotational brake torque is transmitted directly through a solid interface. The axle tube also includes an axial location feature that positions the torque plate at a predetermined location along the axle beam and prevents relative axial movement between the axle beam and the torque plate.

Abstract: A brake assembly includes a caliper having a first side portion connected to a second side portion by two circumferentially spaced bridge arms. The brake assembly includes a first brake pad and a second brake pad that are interchangeable and each having first and second circumferential ends. Each of the first and second brake pads have a pad formation remote from the first and second circumferential ends. The first brake pad is fitted in the first side portion of the caliper with the pad formation of the first brake pad engaging a caliper formation of the first portion side of the caliper for transferring braking torque loads from the first brake pad to the first side portion of the caliper.

Abstract: A trailer axle assembly includes a non-rotating axle tube that extends laterally between a pair of wheel ends. Each wheel end supports a disc brake assembly that selectively generates a braking force to slow or stop rotation of the wheel ends. The disc brake assemblies include a torque plate that is mounted to the axle tube. The axle tube includes a radial location feature that holds the torque plate fixed relative to the axle tube so that rotational brake torque is transmitted directly through a solid interface. The axle tube also includes an axial location feature that positions the torque plate at a predetermined location along the axle beam and prevents relative axial movement between the axle beam and the torque plate.