Abstract: A steering axle includes a beam pivotally mounted on a load-bearing structure of a vehicle. A steering actuator is mounted on the beam and includes a casing which provides a journal formation for pivotally mounting the beam on the load-bearing structure.

Abstract: A gear transmission adapted for use in an engine-driven automotive vehicle includes a mainshaft and a countershaft, a transmission casing having axially spaced bearing support structures, meshing gear elements on the mainshaft and countershaft to establish torque flow paths, and a support having first and second bearing openings therein through which the mainshaft and countershaft extend whereby the mainshaft and countershaft are supported intermediate the ends of the mainshaft and countershaft so that center distance between the shafts is maintained as is the center distance of meshing gears notwithstanding gear tooth separating forces acting transversely with respect thereto.

Abstract: A north-south transaxle includes a case having a first passageway extending longitudinally and a second passageway spaced from the first passageway and being generally parallel to the first passageway and extending longitudinally. The transaxle also includes a transmission assembly disposed in the first passageway and having a first shaft portion extending through the first passageway at one end thereof and a transfer assembly disposed in the second passageway and having a second shaft portion extending through the second passageway at one end thereof. The transaxle includes first and second bearings rotatably supporting the first and second shaft portions in the first and second passageways, and an assembly for retaining the first and second bearings and the first and second shaft portions in the first and second passageways.

Abstract: A vehicle differential unit including adjustable bearing assemblies has a differential carrier adapted to support a differential case assembly including differential case bearings associated therewith The differential case bearing assemblies rotatably support the differential case assembly within the carrier of the differential unit. Adjusting rings are provided and supported internally in a pair of axle tubes associated with the differential carrier. The adjusting rings are selectively biased against the bearing assemblies to impart the desired bearing preload and backlash within the differential unit. The adjusting rings replace the use of adjustment shims, and are accessible to permit adjustment if necessary without the need to remove the differential case assembly. The adjusting rings are threadably supported within the axle tubes to provide a rigid construction which simplifies constuction and adjustment of the differential unit.

Abstract: A differential (1) has a housing (2) made in one piece with two side openings (10) via which parts can be introduced into and removed from the housing. The pinion gears and side gears rest against the inside of the housing via respective support members (17-20). At least for the pinion gears (13,14) there is in the support member (17, 18) a bearing member (22) of the roller bearing type and a support plate (21), where the bearing member is intended to cooperate with, on the one hand, a first bearing surface (25) on the support plate and, on the other hand, a second bearing surface (26) on the actual pinion gear. Assembly of the support member is made possible by means of the fact that the side (24) of the support plate which is to rest against the inside (16) of the housing is convex.

Abstract: A power delivering apparatus employs a viscous coupling for limiting differential action performed by a front differential of an engine-powered vehicle. In the power delivering apparatus, since at least one of rotary members of the viscous coupling is directly supported by a stationary support member of the body of the vehicle, it is possible to support the viscous coupling of the power delivering apparatus in a firmer manner than in the prior art, thereby permitting the power delivering apparatus to remarkably reduce both of vibration and noise.

Abstract: Differential with a housing containing a pinion in the form of a bevel gear which together with a shaft section--constituting one unit with it and projecting from its wide top face--is held by bearings in the housing, whereby the shaft section may be connected and driven by a drive shaft, a crown gear which operates in conjunction with the pinion and is coupled to or constitutes one unit with a rotating satellite housing located in the housing, in which two freely rotating opposing satellites are held by bearings each of which operate in conjunction with two opposing gears which are each connected to a wheel shaft, whereby the pinion constitutes one unit with a second shaft section--projecting from the narrow top face--which is held in the housing by means of roller bearing which has an outer race installed in an opening in the housing and an inner race installed around the second shaft section, characterized by the fact that the inner race of the aforementioned roller bearing is formed by the cylindrical out

Abstract: A rear wheel drive automotive vehicle is provided with a transaxle including a transmsision and a differential. The output shaft of the transmission extends rearward of a ring gear of the differential. A hypoid pinion gear is fixedly mounted on the rear end section of the output shaft and meshed with the ring gear. The pinion gear is rotatably supported on the inner surface of the rear section of a differential casing through a roller bearing. The roller bearing is detachable and adjustable in location relative to the differential casing rear section so that the pinion gear is readily removable to facilitate an adjustment operation of tooth contact between the pinion gear and the ring gear of the differential.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a drive assembly (8) comprising a differential (16). The differential (16) comprises a driving carrier (18) and two driven output gears (19) connected to joints (11) to driveshafts (12). The assembly (8) also comprises a coupling (48) by which one of the gears (19) may be connected directly to the carrier (18). The joint (11) associated with said gear (19) is positioned outside the differential (16) directly adjacent thereto and extends coaxially around an outer part (26) of the joint (11). An inner part of the coupling (48) is connected to the outer part of the joint (11) and an outer part (31) of the coupling is connectable to the carrier (18). The coupling (48) may be a viscous coupling.

Abstract: A tool is provided for adjusting the bearing pre-load and backlash of a differential. The tool has a U-shaped positioning member with an adjustable width base. Bi-directional ratchet heads are provided on the ends of the U, with tools thereon for engaging the side quills of the differential. Setting the ratchets to operate in opposite directions allows easy adjustment of the relative distance between the side quills, and consequently adjustment of the pre-load on the bearings for the differential. Setting the ratchets to operate in the same direction maintains a constant distance between the side quills, but shifts them back and forth in the differential housing, allowing easy adjustment of the backlash between the differential ring gear and the drive shaft pinion gear.