Abstract: A wheel mount for a wheel comprises a spindle, a hub for surrounding the spindle and a bearing assembly interposed between the spindle and the hub. The spindle extends from an end of an axle of a vehicle and has a generally decreasing diameter from its proximal end to its distal end. The spindle is provided with a pair of lands near the ends of the spindle for receiving bearings, and has bearing retainers near the respective ends also, the distal retainer being removably attached. These inboard and outboard bearing retainers define an axial bearing space. The hub has a central aperture with an inboard land and an outboard land provided on an internal surface of the central aperture, also for receiving bearings. The bearing assembly comprises an inboard bearing and an outboard bearing in spaced apart relationship within the axial bearing space. The inboard bearing has an internal diameter larger than the internal diameter of the outboard bearing.

Abstract: An integrally joined two-piece motor vehicle steering knuckle assembly which includes a first component, preferably having a steering knuckle, a brake mounting bracket, a tie rod arm and, if needed, a steering rod arm, and a second component, preferably having a wheel spindle. The first component and the second component are integrally joined together by a process such as interference fit, welding and/or adhesive bonding, in the case of welding, most preferably friction welding, to form an integrally joined two-piece motor vehicle steering knuckle assembly.

Abstract: A self-steering assembly for self-steering wheels used on trucks carrying heavy loads includes a kingpin arm unit with a unitary adaptor collar at one end for mounting on a conventional tubular axle and a knuckle at the other end for retaining the clevis of a pivot link with a kingpin. The pivot link has a knuckle upon which is fixed a standard spindle unit having a steering arm secured thereto so that the assembly may be coupled to a similar assembly at the other end of the axle. A damper is pivoted at one end to the steering arm and at the other end to the axle. The self-steering assembly provides for the utilization of standard components in self-steering assemblies heretofore used only for steered axles.

Abstract: A steerable axle assembly having an axle with a generally vertically extending bore therein, a kingpin that is non-rotatably positioned in the bore in the axle in such a manner that the kingpin is longitudinally engaged by the bore so that the kingpin can not drift upwardly in the bore, the kingpin having upper and lower cylindrical portions that receive first and second tapered roller bearings, respectively, the first and second tapered roller bearings being retained, respectively, in apertures in upper and lower yoke arms of a steering knuckle. The first and second tapered roller bearings are adjustably preloaded by an externally threaded bearing adjuster that is threaded into an internally threaded portion of the aperture in the upper yoke arm of the steering knuckle.