Steven A Kuhn

US Patent:

20070116397, May 24, 2007

Filed:

Nov 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/283160

Inventors:

Praveen Pauskar - Canton OH, US
Martin Pierce - Navarre OH, US
James Piccari - Massillon OH, US
Wayne Denny - Alliance OH, US
David Zehner - Uniontown OH, US
Steven Kuhn - East Canton OH, US
Richard Miller - Canton OH, US

International Classification:

F16C 13/00

US Classification:

384544000

Abstract:

A wheel end or other assembly for facilitating rotation about an axis includes a tubular housing, a spindle that extends into the housing, and a double row antifriction bearing between the housing and spindle. The bearing includes at least one separate inner race that fits over the spindle, with the axial position of that race determining the setting for the bearing. Preferably, a spacer fits around the spindle between the inner race and a backing element. The assembly is unitized by deforming the end of the spindle outwardly against the end of the separate inner race with the deformation being sufficient to drive the inner race toward the backing element and collapse the spacer, if present. The deformation of the end of the spindle continues until bearing produces a torque that reflects a desired preload in the bearing.