Unitized wheelend assembly and method of installation
A unitized wheelend is provided. The unitized wheelend includes a hub having an inboard side bounded by an oil seal and an outboard side bounded by a retainer releasably coupled to the hub. The unitized wheelend assembly includes an inboard bearing assembly, a spacer, an outboard bearing assembly, and a spindle nut assembly.
1. An apparatus comprising,
a unitized wheelend assembly comprising:
a hub having an inboard side and an outboard side defining a cavity therebetween;
an oil seal having an inboard side and an outboard side proximal the inboard side of the unitized wheelend assembly;
an inboard bearing assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the oil seal and an outboard side;
a spacer having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the inboard bearing assembly and an outboard side;
an outboard bearing assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the spacer and an outboard side;
a spindle nut assembly, the spindle nut assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the outboard bearing and an outboard side, the spindle nut assembly having a shape; and
a retainer having an inboard side, an outboard side, and a body extending therebetween, the inboard side of the retainer having an inboard edge, the retainer having a bore with a shape to cooperatively engage the shape of the spindle nut assembly and an outboard side, the retainer having at least one protruding surface to receive a fastener such that the retainer may be releasably coupled to the outboard side of the hub.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an alignment insert internal to the outboard bearing assembly and the spacer.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retainer wherein the at least one protruding surface comprises a plurality of protruding surfaces.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one protruding surface is releasably coupled to the hub with a fastener.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the fastener is a bolt.
6. An apparatus comprising,
a unitized wheelend assembly comprising:
a hub having an inboard side and an outboard side defining a cavity therebetween;
an oil seal having an inboard side and an outboard side proximal the inboard side of the unitized wheelend assembly;
an inboard bearing assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the oil seal and an outboard side;
a spacer having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the inboard bearing assembly and an outboard side;
an outboard bearing assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the spacer and an outboard side;
a spindle nut assembly, the spindle nut assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the outboard bearing and an outboard side, the spindle nut assembly having a shape; and
a retainer having a shape to cooperatively engage the shape of the spindle nut assembly, the retainer having at least one protruding surface with at least a pair of fingers separated by a gap with a spring member coupled to each of the fingers wherein the spring member releasably couples the retainer to the hub.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the spring member comprises an engagement member that releasably engages a thread of at least one bolt of the hub.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each spring member comprises a lever and wherein pinching the lever disengages the spring member.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the spring member is formed from a composite material.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the spring member is a spring metal.
11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the spring member is a spring clip.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the spring clip terminates in a tab wherein movement of the tab disengages the spring clip from the hub.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a stop to engage the spring clip to inhibit movement of the spring clip.
14. An apparatus comprising,
a unitized wheelend assembly comprising:
a hub having an inboard side and an outboard side defining a cavity therebetween;
an oil seal having an inboard side and an outboard side proximal the inboard side of the unitized wheelend assembly;
an inboard bearing assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the oil seal and an outboard side;
a spacer having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the inboard bearing assembly and an outboard side;
an outboard bearing assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the spacer and an outboard side;
a spindle nut assembly, the spindle nut assembly having an inboard side proximal the outboard side of the outboard bearing and an outboard side, the spindle nut assembly having a shape; and
a retainer having a shape to cooperatively engage the shape of the spindle nut assembly, the retainer having an inboard side, an outboard side, and a body extending therebetween, the inboard side of the retainer having an inboard edge with at least one tab coupled to the inboard edge of the retainer, a fastener is coupled to the tab wherein the retainer is releasably coupled to the hub when the fastener is inserted through a bore on the hub and the fastener releasably couples to an inboard side of the bore.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the fastener comprises a spring clip with a retaining lip.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the fastener is a connector with at least one fin.