Warn Industries, Inc.

John M McCalla

Bryan M Averill

Scott J Pugliese

Randy C Karambelas

Kip E Clohessy

Fred L Ewer

Evan R Baker

Thomas W Giacomini

Michael L McMorris

Mark J Fogelberg

Peter A Lines

A wheel hub assembly is provided including a movable clutch ring for selective engagement between an engaged and disengaged position for providing driving torque from an axle shaft to a wheel hub. The clutch ring is in full-time engagement with external clutch teeth of the axle shaft and is movable to an engaged position with external clutch teeth of a coupler that is secured to the wheel hub. Furthermore, the coupler is provided with a travel limiter for preventing the clutch ring from traveling beyond a predetermined desired position along the coupler.

Hub assembly having a clutch ring travel limiter

This invention is directed to a wheel end assembly for engaging and disengaging the wheel end of a vehicle that is convertible between four-wheel and two-wheel drive. The invention is further directed to clutch ring engagement at the inboard end of a wheel hub whereat a retention feature retains the support bearings for the wheel hub on the vehicle suspension and whereat, independent of the retention feature, the clutch ring is operable directly between the wheel hub and axle.

Vehicle wheel end clutch

A wheel end assembly including a live spindle secured to a wheel hub at an outboard end. A bearing surrounding the spindle and abutted against a shoulder on the spindle. Said bearing preloaded by a retention structure that slidably engages the bearing to compress the bearing against the shoulder. A clutch ring slidably engages splines associated with the live spindle and with an axle portion to connect and disconnect the axle to the live spindle and accordingly the wheel hub.

Retention mechanism for vehicle wheel assembly

Growing community of inventors

Ferndale, MI, United States of America

John M McCalla