American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.

Thomas E Gansenhuber

Joseph S Balenda, Ii

Jeffrey Lee Kincaid

Neil Alan Wasylewski

Ryan Ettenhofer

Kurt Hauser

A differential assembly can include a case, a first side gear, a second side gear, a first pinion gear, a second pinion gear, a third pinion gear, and a cross-pin assembly. The case can be adapted to be supported for rotation about an output axis. The first and second side gears can be disposed within the case and rotatable about the output axis relative to the case. The first, second, and third pinion gears can be disposed within the case and meshingly engaged with the first and second side gears. The cross-pin assembly can include a spider, first, second, and third pins. The proximal end of the first pin can define a first bore that can receive a post of the spider to couple the first pin to the spider. Each pinion gear can be supported by one of the pins for rotation relative to the case.

Differential assembly with multi-piece cross-pin

A differential includes a cross-pin assembly. The case can rotate about an output axis. First and second side gears can be rotatable about the output axis relative to the case. First, second, and third pinion gears can be meshingly engaged with the first and second side gears. The cross-pin assembly can include first, second, and third pin members, each having a cylindrical body and a finger fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the corresponding cylindrical body. The first, second, and third pinion gears can be rotatably disposed about the corresponding first, second, or third cylindrical body. The first, second, and third fingers can overlap along the output axis to non-rotatably couple the first, second, and third pin members together.

Differential assembly and multi-piece cross-pin assembly

A disconnectable link may include a first link member having a generally tubular portion, a first ball joint disposed on the first link member and adapted to engage a first suspension member; a second link member slidably receivable within the first link member; a second ball joint disposed on the second link member and adapted to engage a second suspension member; a lock shaft engaged with the second link member; and a lock element disposed within an aperture in the second link member. Movement of the lock shaft into a first position may cause the lock element to engage the first link member to prevent relative axial movement between the first and second link members, and movement of the lock shaft into a second position may cause the lock element to disengage the first link member to allow relative axial movement between the first and second link members.

Stabilizer bar with disconnectable link

A connection system to interconnect members of a vehicular steering linkage system has a first steering module and a second steering member adapted to receive the first steering module. A clearance exists between the first steering module and the second steering member. The first steering module includes a first steering member and a fastener. The fastener is adapted to secure the first and second steering members together.

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Lapeer, MI, United States of America

Thomas E Gansenhuber