Combined wing bearing and full circular bearing yoke connection for universal joint

Abstract

A structure for connecting the cross member of a universal joint to two yokes includes at least a pair of wing bearings bolted to one of the yokes. Preferably, the other yoke utilizes full circular bores to receive the other two shafts of the cross member. The wing bearings include structure which ensures a secure connection to the yoke. In particular, a locator finger extends radially inwardly from the yoke and over the wing bearing and shaft. In this way, the distance between a reaction plane between the yoke and wing bearing and the centerline of the shaft within the wing bearing is reduced. This reduces a force moment on the shaft. In other features of this invention, the use of the full circular bore for one of the yokes allows the universal joint manufacturer to fully assemble the first yoke to the cross member, and ship that assembled yoke and cross member to the vehicle manufacturer. The vehicle manufacturer must only then assemble the yoke to its drive shaft, and bolt the two wing bearings to a second yoke. In this way, the vehicle manufacturer has no responsibility to properly lubricate the bearings in the universal joint. Thus, the bearings may be properly lubricated by the universal joint manufacturer, and should remain properly lubricated for the expected life of the universal joint.