Mack Trucks, Inc.

Richard Duane Schnurr

Victor Kronstadt

Brian Gordon

Mark Winders

Oliver R Goetz

A multiple rear drive axle system for a vehicle includes a first axle coupled with a drive shaft from a transmission of the vehicle. The first axle includes a first cantilevered input pinion mechanically coupled with the drive shaft and with a first driven gear. The system also includes an output shaft mechanically coupled with the drive shaft. A second axle has a second cantilevered input pinion mechanically coupled with the output shaft of the first axle system and with a second driven gear. The first and second input pinions are common, that is, are substantially identical pinions. The first and second driven gears are also common, that is, are substantially identical gears.

Multiple rear drive axles with common gearing

A very low spring rate vibration-damping clutch and pinion assembly for lowering the resonance of a power train to below the resonant speed of the engine includes a vibration damping clutch with two circumferential rows of springs and a necked-down pinion shaft. The vibration damper is preferably connected to both the pinion shaft and the clutch disk by spline connections.

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Williamsport, MD, United States of America

Richard Duane Schnurr