Dana Corporation

David W Maxwell

Albert Aiken

Jeffrey A Dutkiewicz

James T Reynolds

Leon W Valencic

Gary L Smith

Jeffrey Paul Patrisso

A method for pre-positioning the driveshaft sections of an axially adjustable driveshaft assembly prior to installation within a vehicle to facilitate the installation process. An installation tool is provided with first and second members which are movable relative to one another. Reference indicia are provided on one or both of the members such that mounting surfaces provided thereon can be spaced apart from one another by a predetermined amount. The mounting surfaces of the installation tool are mounted on separate sections of the driveshaft assembly. Then, the driveshaft sections are moved relative to one another until the reference indicia provided on the installation tool are properly aligned. When such alignment is achieved, the overall axial length of the driveshaft assembly is approximately equal to the desired length between the engine/transmission assembly and the axle assembly. Then, the installation tool is removed, and the driveshaft assembly is installed in the vehicle. Because the overall axial length of the driveshaft assembly has been pre-positioned to the desired length, little or no adjustment thereof will be required to install the driveshaft assembly within the vehicle.

Method for facilitating the installation of an axially adjustable

An alignment fixture to rotationally align driveshaft components includes a first driveshaft component having a yoke secured to it, the yoke having opposed arms with openings for receiving universal joint bearings, with the openings being aligned on a yoke axis, and wherein a cross with bearing cups is mounted within the yoke, with the bearing cups being positioned within the yoke arm openings, and wherein the first driveshaft component has splines for transmitting torque, and wherein a second driveshaft component has splines for interengagement with the splines of the first driveshaft component in a slip joint, the second driveshaft component having an alignment mark indicative of angular orientation with respect to a universal joint yoke fixed to the second driveshaft component. The fixture includes a main body having a concave surface for positive contact with the first driveshaft component. The fixture also has a pair of opposed locator pads mounted from a forward end of the main body, the opposed locator pads being shaped to contact the bearing cups positioned within the yoke arm openings, the opposed locator pads defining a transverse locator axis therebetween, wherein contact between the opposed locator pads and the bearing cups causes the fixture to become aligned with the yoke of the first driveshaft component resulting in parallel alignment of the transverse locator axis with the yoke axis. The fixture also has an indicator collar on a rearward end of the main body, the indicator collar having indicia indicative of angular displacement of locations on the collar relative to the transverse locator axis, wherein the angular orientation of the second driveshaft component relative to the transverse locator axis, and hence the yoke openings of the first driveshaft component, can be determined by comparing the alignment mark of the second driveshaft component with the indicia on the collar.

Alignment tool for phasing of splined slip joint driveshaft components

An apparatus for dynamically balancing a combined assembly of a drive shaft and axle input shaft for use in a vehicle drive train system. The apparatus includes a drive head adapted to be connected to one end of the drive shaft and a support head for supporting the axle. The support head includes a cradle plate extending upwardly from a base plate mounted on the apparatus. The cradle plate has an arcuate recess formed in the upper surface thereof which is adapted to receive and support a housing of the axle. A pair of support arms are also secured to the base plate, extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The support arms are adapted to be secured outwardly extending portions of the housing of the axle. The apparatus further includes first and second intermediate heads which are adapted to engage and support other portions of the drive train system. Sensors are provided on each of the heads for generating electrical signals which are representative of the amount of vibrations induced when the components of the drive train system are rotatably driven by the drive head. As a result, the combined assembly of the drive shaft and the axle input shaft can be dynamically balanced for use in the vehicle.

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Toledo, OH, United States of America

David W Maxwell