Abstract: A bushing between a big diameter end of a flexible boot and a tulip housing of a constant velocity universal joint. The tulip housing has a plurality of longitudinal drive channels each open at an open end of the tulip housing. Drive bearings on a trunnion on the end of a shaft are bodily shiftable in the drive channels and accommodate stroking and angulation of the shaft relative to the tulip housing. The bushing has an integral boss aligned with the open end of each drive channel. Each boss has a pair of channel segments aligned with planar sides of the drive channel which segments define extensions of the drive channel. The channel extensions receive the drive bearings if the bearings become dislodged from their drive channels during installation of the universal joint on a vehicle.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a universal joint of the tripot type comprises a drive block and bearing rollers which are retained by two cage pieces which are mounted on the respective opposite driving sides of the drive block so that the bearing rollers on each driving side are retained by a single cage piece. The cage pieces are retained on the drive block by fastening the cage pieces to each other or to the drive block.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly comprises an outer bearing member which is secured to a steering knuckle, and a hollow spindle which is rotatably supported in a fixed longitudinal relationship in the outer bearing member by two rows of bearing balls. The hollow spindle has a splined bore which receives a splined stub shaft of a drive bell which is pulled through the splined bore by way of a pull groove in the free end of the stub shaft. A snap ring is assembled to the stub shaft to secure the hollow spindle on the stub shaft against the resistance of a deformed crush ring which is disposed between an inboard end of the hollow spindle and a shoulder of the drive bell. In an alternate embodiment the snap ring secures the hollow spindle on the stub shaft against the resistance of interengaging straight and helical spines of the hollow spindle and the stub shaft.

Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an outer drive member having three radial drive channels which include two flat longitudinal drive tracks, an inner drive member having three radial trunnions having cylindrical bearing surfaces, and three intermediate drive rollers disposed in the respective radial drive channels and rotatably and slideably mounted on the respective radial trunnions. Each intermediate drive roller has a radial bore which is convexly shaped so as to permit a slight universally pivoting or wobbling movement of the intermediate drive roller on the radial trunnions and the radial trunnions have stops for limiting outward movement of the drive rollers during operation of the telescopic tripot universal joint. A full complement of cylindrical needle rollers is disposed between the convexly shaped radial bore of each intermediate drive roller and the cylindrical bearing surface of the respective trunnion.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly comprises a wheel hub, a bearing assembly and a retainer for retaining the inner ring of the bearing assembly on the wheel hub. The retainer includes a retaining ring and a load ring which is plastically deformed radially inwardly so that the inner ring of the bearing assembly is biased against an annular shoulder of the wheel hub under a substantial axial preload.

Abstract: A telescopic tripot universal joint comprises an inner drive member which has spherical trunnions, an outer drive member which has drive channels with parallel, planar side walls and drive assemblies which are pivotally mounted on the spherical trunnions and disposed in the drive channels. The drive assemblies comprise intermediate drive blocks, bearing rollers which engage the side walls of the drive channels to transmit torque and cage structure which retains the bearing rollers and which is secured to the intermediate drive blocks for simultaneous movement with the intermediate drive block.

Abstract: An independently sprung front suspension system for improving the ride and handling of a recreational vehicle having a unitized body and frame. A wishbone-shaped lower control arm having spaced apart inner ends is mounted for pivotal movement on a control arm shaft, and a tubular member surrounding the control arm shaft is secured to the frame. A pair of spaced apart elastomeric bushings are mounted on the shaft within the tubular member which permit large horizontal deflection and minimal vertical deflection of the shaft within the tubular member during road impact and braking conditions, thereby substantially isolating the frame from such road impact.