Disclosed are modular mechanical assemblies formed from durable, corrosion resistant components with sufficient strength to maintain efficient operation. The modular mechanical assemblies include a novel torsion axle assembly having a cartridge that houses a torsion bar with a splined tip. A load bearing, relatively incompressible bushing is optionally disposed about the torsion bar. The cartridge is inserted into an axle tube, and an end cap is placed over the cartridge and torsion bar. The end cap is affixed to the axle tube such that the bushing is secured within a bore in the end cap. The torsion bar tip extends through the bushing and end cap and is secured within a torsion arm. A spindle is also secured within the torsion arm. One or more components of the torsion axle assembly are made from a low alloy, medium carbon steel material that provides corrosion resistance and advantageous yield and ultimate strength properties. One or more components of the assembly can also be coated to improve corrosion resistance. Suitable coating techniques include, but are not limited to liquid ferritic nitrocarburizing, gas nitriding, electroless nickel plating, or a diamond like carbon coating process.

Provided is a method of manufacturing a wheel bearing apparatus including an outer ring, a rolling element, a hub spindle, and an inner ring member. The hub spindle is disposed inward of the outer ring in a radial direction via the rolling element. The inner ring member fitted on the hub spindle and is secured by a clinched portion. The clinched portion is formed by clinching a spindle end portion of the hub spindle outward in the radial direction. The method includes: plating a predetermined area including the spindle end portion of the hub spindle; removing a plating of the spindle end portion of the predetermined area; and clinching the spindle end portion to form the clinched portion after removing the plating.

A brake rotor includes a friction portion, a hat portion axially extending from the friction portion and including a top face that is axially displaced from the friction portion and a side wall that extends from the friction portion to the top face, and a nose portion which extends axially from the top face of the hat portion away from the friction portion.

The utility model discloses a wheel nut, including a nut body which the outside surface comprises of multiple identical arc surfaces. The arc surface is protruding outward, and the radius of the arc surface is larger than the circumscribed radius of the outside surface of the nut body. The utility model designs the existing square surface of the outer hexagon feature of the wheel nut as an arc surface, which the contact area between the wheel nut and the sleeve and the loading area of the wheel nut can be increased, and then the deformation and looseness of the wheel nut can be avoided effectively, and therefore the service life of the wheel nut can be improved.

A wheel for a vehicle, in particular a motorcycle or a motor scooter includes a hub region which has at least some portions made of a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The hub region includes a recess in which an insert for connecting the wheel to a vehicle axle is placed. An isolation element which galvanically isolates the insert from the hub region is arranged between the hub region and the insert.

A vent plug for a hub cap is provided. The vent plug includes a cover and base forming a chamber. A vent plug body extends from the base and forms a cavity. A shield is coupled to the vent plug body. The shield comprises an annularly extending disc that traverses the cavity. The shield includes a connecting surface to connect the shield to the vent plug body. The shield provides a lubrication/liquid barrier to inhibit lubrication (or other liquid) from entering the cavity formed by the vent plug body and the chamber. The connection between the shield and the vent plug body allows a gas (typically air) to vent past the shield into the cavity and, when pressure is sufficiently high, to the chamber and eventually atmosphere.

A caster wheel assembly for an outdoor power equipment machine includes a wheel mount and provides a double bell-shaped caster wheel including two bell-shaped halves, each bell-shaped half includes a central hub, a smooth transition portion, an outer circumferential rim, and a planar face. A ground contacting tread can be provided by the outer circumferential rims. A ground contacting tread can be provided by a resilient tread ring positioned between the two bell-shaped halves.

A caster wheel assembly for an outdoor power equipment machine includes a wheel mount and provides a double bell-shaped caster wheel including two bell-shaped halves, each bell-shaped half includes a central hub, a smooth transition portion, an outer circumferential rim, and a planar face. A ground contacting tread can be provided by the outer circumferential rims. A ground contacting tread can be provided by a resilient tread ring positioned between the two bell-shaped halves.

The utility model discloses a wheel nut, including a nut body which the outside surface comprises of multiple identical arc surfaces. The arc surface is protruding outward, and the radius of the arc surface is larger than the circumscribed radius of the outside surface of the nut body. The utility model designs the existing square surface of the outer hexagon feature of the wheel nut as an arc surface, which the contact area between the wheel nut and the sleeve and the loading area of the wheel nut can be increased, and then the deformation and looseness of the wheel nut can be avoided effectively, and therefore the service life of the wheel nut can be improved.

A hybrid connection element, in particular a bearing outer element of a wheel bearing, includes a core part made of steel and a reinforcement part made of plastic. The reinforcement part at least partially encases the core part. The core part includes a hollow cylindrical bearing unit extending in an axial direction and a flange extending in a radial direction. The reinforcement part includes at least one reinforcement rib which transmits force between the bearing unit and the flange of the core part.