Michael L Rhoades

US Patent:

57978000, Aug 25, 1998

Filed:

May 2, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/640534

Inventors:

Michael L. Rhoades - Toledo OH
James T. Reynolds - Toledo OH

Assignee:

Dana Corporation - Toledo OH

International Classification:

F16D 316

US Classification:

464130

Abstract:

A universal joint assembly includes a cross having a body and at least a pair of outwardly extending opposed trunnions. The trunnions define a trunnion axis. A bearing cup is rotatably mounted on each of the trunnions. A yoke includes a pair of opposed arms wherein each arm has an opening formed therethrough and aligned with the other arm opening to receive one of the bearing cups. Each of the openings defines a cylindrical surface having a cylindrical groove of a predetermined width formed therein. The yoke defines a yoke axis. A snap ring of a predetermined thickness is inserted into each of the grooves to retain the bearing cups on said trunnions. The width of each of the grooves is greater than the thickness of the snap rings to permit the cross to be selectively positioned with respect to the yoke. A staking operation fixes the position of the cross with respect to the yoke so that the cross center of gravity is aligned with the yoke axis.