An axle assembly of a vehicle including a differential assembly, an axle tube extending outwardly from a first side of the differential assembly and defining an axle bore, an axle shaft rotatably received in the first axle tube and defining an annular groove extending radially inwardly from its outer surface, a retaining nut axially fixed to the distal end of the first axle tube, and a snap ring received in the annular groove of the first axle shaft, wherein the snap ring abuts the retaining nut, thereby preventing outward motion of the first axle shaft with respect to the first axle tube.

A charger incorporated in a vehicle wheel supporting rolling bearing unit detects an output voltage of an electric generator and calculates a rotation speed of a hub. When a rotation speed of the hub is in a low speed state where a sensor and a wireless communication device are operated by electric power supplied by a battery, a frequency of wireless communication performed between the wireless communication device and a calculator disposed on a vehicle body side is changed according to the rotation speed of the hub or a traveling speed of a vehicle.

Self-steering axle assembly has an axle with central tube having a longitudinal central axis. A king pin is connected with an end portion of the axle. A knuckle is connected with the king pin. The knuckle includes a torque plate section. A first arm of the knuckle extends from a side of the torque plate section and receives a first end portion of the king pin. A second arm extends from the torque plate section in the same direction as the first arm. The second arm receives a second end portion of the king pin. A spindle is friction welded to the torque plate section and has a longitudinal central axis. The torque plate section has at least one surface on the torque plate section extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis of the spindle. A tool engages the surface during friction welding of the spindle to the torque plate section. The relative locations of the axle, spindle and king pin enable an air disc brake actuator to avoid contact with components of the heavy-duty vehicle during steering and with the ground and debris.

A production method for a cover attached to an outer ring of a hub unit including procedures as follows. A nut is supported by a first protrusion of a first mold. By a second protrusion of a second mold, a core bar including a cylindrical section to be inserted into the outer ring is supported. A resin material is injected into a cavity formed by the first mold and the second mold to form a cover including a nut and a core bar. The cover is detached from the second mold by moving the first mold in a direction of being separated from the second mold. After this, the cover is detached from the first mold by pushing out the cover in a die matching direction with a pin disposed in the first mold.

A production method for a cover attached to an outer ring of a hub unit first prepares a first mold and a second mold which form a cavity filled with a resin material. Next, by a protrusion of the first mold, a nut is supported. Next, when viewed from an axial direction of the nut, in a state where at least a part of the gate of the second mold overlaps an inside of the nut as compared with an outer circumferential surface of the nut, the first mold and the second mold are die-matched. Then, a resin material is injected into the cavity.

A system and method for monitoring wheel hub temperatures and odometry in trailer axles. The system includes a spindle (118), an inner bearing (114), an outer bearing (116), a wheel hub (106) engaging the spindle (118) via the inner and outer bearings (114, 116), a thermocouple (108) positioned within the spindle (118), and an electronic control unit (112). The electronic control unit (112) is electrically coupled to the thermocouple (108) and configured to receive from the thermocouple (108), a temperature signal. The electronic control unit (112) is configured to determine, from the temperature signal, a temperature. The electronic control unit (112) is configured to compare the temperature to a predetermined threshold. The electronic control unit (112) is configured to, when the temperature exceeds the predetermined threshold, indicate a fault.

A system and method for monitoring wheel hub temperatures and odometry in trailer axles. The system includes a spindle (118), an inner bearing (114), an outer bearing (116), a wheel hub (106) engaging the spindle (118) via the inner and outer bearings (114, 116), a thermocouple (108) positioned within the spindle (118), and an electronic control unit (112). The electronic control unit (112) is electrically coupled to the thermocouple (108) and configured to receive from the thermocouple (108), a temperature signal. The electronic control unit (112) is configured to determine, from the temperature signal, a temperature. The electronic control unit (112) is configured to compare the temperature to a predetermined threshold. The electronic control unit (112) is configured to, when the temperature exceeds the predetermined threshold, indicate a fault.

A spindle sleeve and washer for adjusting the camber, toe, or thrust angle of a vehicle wheel to a desired predetermined angle which allows for use of existing hub and spindle assembly without permanent modification to the vehicle.

A spindle sleeve and washer for adjusting the camber, toe, or thrust angle of a vehicle wheel to a desired predetermined angle which allows for use of existing hub and spindle assembly without permanent modification to the vehicle.

A reversible spindle embodiment for a small sailboat dolly axle includes 2 spindle elements, one on each end of the same reversible spindle embodiment connected by a central interconnecting mounting element. Each spindle element is designed to mate with a wheel hub having a different size diameter and/or width. The unused spindle element and the central interconnecting mounting element are inserted into the hollow end of the dolly axle and secured with fasteners through the walls of the axle and mounting element. The desired spindle element is inserted through the wheel hub and secured. To mount a wheel having a different hub size matching the unused spindle element, the fasteners are removed, the reversible spindle is rotated 180 degrees and the fasteners reinstalled.