Abstract: A method for forming a brake assembly for a motor vehicle includes a wheel hub, a knuckle, and a brake rotor. The wheel hub includes a neck portion and a flange portion having a flange face. The flange face has a plurality of bolt receiving holes formed therein. The wheel hub is placed in rotational communication with the knuckle. The flange face of the wheel hub has a brake rotor secured thereto. The brake rotor has an inner surface, which is subjected to final finishing in order to reduce lateral run-out of the brake rotor.

Abstract: A method of making a wheel end to be installed on a vehicle includes assembling a rotor and components with bearing surfaces to define an assembled module configured to be mounted to the vehicle, and preloading the bearing surfaces of the assembled module in a set amount as required for mounting the assembled module to the vehicle. The method further includes mounting the assembled module on a holding fixture and rotating the assembled module on the holding fixture. The method further includes, while rotating the preloaded assembled module, machining the face of the hub flange prior to affixing a rotor to the flange, and then machining a final cut on the rotor once the rotor is affixed to the flange. After machining, the assembled module remains preloaded with the set amount of preload as the assembled module is installed on the vehicle, thereby providing reduced lateral runout.

Abstract: A method of making a wheel end to be installed on a vehicle includes assembling a rotor and components with bearing surfaces to define an assembled module configured to be mounted to the vehicle, and preloading the bearing surfaces of the assembled module in a set amount as required for mounting the assembled module to the vehicle. The method further includes mounting the assembled module on a holding fixture and rotating the assembled module on the holding fixture. The method further includes, while rotating the preloaded assembled module machining the face of the hub flange prior to affixing a rotor to the flange, and then machining a final cut on the rotor once the rotor is affixed to the flange. After machining, the assembled module remains preloaded with the set amount of preload as the assembled module is installed on the vehicle, thereby providing reduced lateral runout.

Abstract: A caulked portion is formed by plastic deformation of a cylindrical portion which is formed at the inner end of a shaft member and is reduced in thickness toward the leading end in a diametrical outward direction. The force required to form the caulked portion is reduced, and the caulked portion is less susceptible to damage. Further, the force of the caulked portion for supporting the inner ring is ensured.

Abstract: A method of attaching a bearing (216) and hub (214) to a knuckle (212) in a corner assembly (220) of a vehicle to prevent the introduction of lateral moments into a plurality of rollers (232,234,232′,234′) retained in the bearing (216). The bearing (216) has an inner race (222) and an outer race (226) with the plurality of rollers (232,234,232′,234′) being retained between an outer race (226) and an inner race (222). The hub (214) has a cylindrical body with a flange (220) located adjacent a first end (219) and a mounting surface (224) located adjacent a second end (213). The flange (220) has a plurality of axial openings (250,250′ . . . 250n) that are spaced in an arc with respect to an axis of the cylindrical body. After the inner race (222) is located on the mounting surface (224), the inner race (222) is fixed to the cylindrical body. Thereafter, hub (214) is placed on a tool (242) such that a plurality of pins (248,248′ . . .

Abstract: A hub (2) includes a spindle (14) which projects through a housing (4) and rotates relative to the housing (4) on a bearing (6) that is located between the spindle (14) and the housing (4). The bearing (6) has two sets of raceways (28,40) that are oblique to the axis x, and in addition rolling elements (36) arranged in two rows between the sets of raceways (28,40). The inner raceways (28) that fit around the spindle (14) and have back faces (32), with the back face (32) for one of the races (26) being against a shoulder (18) from which the spindle (14) projects. Initially, the end of the spindle (14) projects straight beyond the back face (32) of the outer race—indeed, so that the races (26) can be installed over the spindle (14).

Abstract: A part clamping fixture assembly for locating and holding a wheel hub assembly for final finishing a flange face of the wheel hub includes a top portion having a bore formed therethrough. The fixture assembly includes a puller member having an upper end for communicating with a drive mechanism and a lower end opposite the upper end. The puller member has an encasing disposed therearound. The encasing has a lower portion for engaging a bearing of the wheel hub assembly and an upper portion in communication with the top portion. The fixture assembly also includes a lift mechanism for lifting the wheel hub assembly generally upward such that a surface of the bearing engages the lower end of the puller member. The lift mechanism is engageable with the lower end of the puller member such that the drive mechanism will rotate the puller member and the lift mechanism together to accomplish the final finishing of the flange face.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the installation of pretensioned roller bearings (2), in particular angular ball bearings, for example, in wheel carriers of automobiles, airplanes, and the like. The invention is characterized in that the installation apparatus, with a measurement probe (5), lies against a stop, a shoulder, or the like, in the axial area of the bearing race of one roller bearing, on the shaft side, and that upon tightening the shaft nut (3) against the bearing race of the other roller bearing, on the shaft side, its axial shift with respect to the stop is determined, wherein when the shaft nut is tightened, a torque wrench is used to determine the applied torque, which permits it to differentiate between the actual tensioning process of the roller bearing (2) and the previous process to bring the shaft nut (3) to the stop. The invention also concerns an installation apparatus to implement the method.

Abstract: A caulked portion is formed by plastic deformation of a cylindrical portion which is formed at the inner end of a shaft member and is reduced in thickness toward the leading end in a diametrical outward direction. The force required to form the caulked portion is reduced, and the caulked portion is less susceptible to damage. Further, the force of the caulked portion for supporting the inner ring is ensured.

Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly for supporting a wheel is provided. The assembly includes a spindle defining a rotational axis and a support member for supporting the spindle. A wheel hub has a flange for securing the wheel thereto. The wheel hub is supported on the spindle and is rotatable about the rotational axis. A bearing assembly has first and second bearing members in spaced relationship from one another with a plurality of bearings interposed between the bearing members to permit relative rotation between the bearing members about the rotational axis. The first bearing member is arranged adjacent to the spindle and the second bearing member is arranged adjacent to either the wheel hub or the support member. An inner surface of the first bearing member has an annular counterbore. The spindle is deformed into the counterbore to axially secure the first bearing member to the spindle and prevent relative rotation between the spindle and the first bearing member about the rotational axis.

Abstract: A method for improving the concentricity of a coupling between a shaft and a hub in a motion control system. The shaft is coupled to the hub by means of a bushing that may be drawn into the hub by means of a single set screw. The depth of the bushing exceeds a calculated critical cocking length. The bushing may be split and may also be tapered, and in certain embodiments, has a bore of diameter smaller than 0.5 inches.

Abstract: An inner ring 3 is fit to a stepped part 8 formed on the inner end of a hub 2b. A desired pre-load is applied to rolling elements 5 in a state that an outer end face 28 of the inner ring 3 is butted against a step surface 12 formed on the hub 2b. The inner ring 3 is fit to the hub 2b by interference fitting causing a static friction force, which is larger than a thrust load acting on the inner ring 3 based on the pre-loading. Therefore, the inner end face of the inner ring 3 is clamped with a caulking portion, which is formed by expanding outward in the diameter directions a cylindrical portion 18 formed in the inner end of the hub 2b.

Abstract: The present invention provides a double row taper-roller bearing and a method of assembling a double row taper-roller bearing, which are, when in an assembly, capable of assembling and being assembled by controlling a negative axial gap after the assembly. The present invention-provides also a wheel support structure and a method of the assembling the same structure.

Abstract: A molded wheel and bearing assembly includes two bearings in a molded housing forming a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is molded into the hub of a caster wheel. The caster wheel is made by molding a hub around the bearing assembly, then molding a tread around the hub. No assembly of individual elements into the wheel is necessary.

Abstract: An automotive hub assembly, which carries a brake disk, has a hub provided with a spindle which rotates in a housing on a double row antifriction bearing having its raceways oriented obliquely to the axis of rotation so that the bearing accommodates both radial and axial loads. The bearing is set to a condition of preload so no free motion exists in it. The hub also has a flange at one end of its spindle, and the flange is machined on its face that is presented away from the housing to provide a machined mounting surface against which the brake disk is installed. The machining occurs after the hub assembly is assembled. To this end, the housing of the hub assembly is held fast while the hub is rotated on the bearing. With the hub rotating, a cutting tool is moved across the face of the flange, and it produces the machined mounting surface which is perpendicular to the axis of the bearing. The machined mounting surface has essentially no runout, so that the brake disk acquires no runout from the hub assembly.

Abstract: A molded wheel and bearing assembly includes two butt-out bearings in a molded housing forming a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is molded into the hub of a caster wheel. The caster wheel is made by molding a hub around the bearing assembly, then molding a tread around the hub. No assembly of individual elements into the wheel is necessary.