A preload inspection method for a bearing device for a vehicle wheel comprises: a first bearing preload value calculation step for calculating a first bearing preload value; a first rotating torque measurement step for measuring a first rotating torque; a caulking step for swaging the small-diameter stepped part to the inner ring; a second bearing preload value calculation step for calculating a second bearing preload value; a second rotational torque measurement step for measuring a second rotational torque; a third bearing preload value calculation step for calculating a third bearing preload value by adding, to the first bearing preload value, a preload change amount based on a differential torque between the first rotating torque and the second rotating torque; and a determination step for determining the suitability of the preload from the second bearing preload value and the third bearing preload value.

An assembly of an outer ring and a knuckle comprises an outer ring used in a wheel bearing and a knuckle for connecting the outer ring to a suspension system. The outer ring comprises a body having a hollow formed in an axial direction of a rotation axis, a mounting portion extending in an outer radial direction and a circumferential direction of the body and having a plurality of first mounting holes formed thereon, and at least one mating protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the body. The knuckle comprises a step portion configured to mate with the mating protrusion in an axial direction of the body. A plurality of second mounting holes corresponding to the plurality of first mounting holes are formed on the knuckle. The mating protrusion has one of a plurality of mating shapes having different shapes.

A preload inspection method for a bearing device for a vehicle wheel comprises: a first bearing preload value calculation step for calculating a first bearing preload value; a first rotating torque measurement step for measuring a first rotating torque; a caulking step for swaging the small-diameter stepped part to the inner ring; a second bearing preload value calculation step for calculating a second bearing preload value; a second rotational torque measurement step for measuring a second rotational torque; a third bearing preload value calculation step for calculating a third bearing preload value by adding, to the first bearing preload value, a preload change amount based on a differential torque between the first rotating torque and the second rotating torque; and a determination step for determining the suitability of the preload from the second bearing preload value and the third bearing preload value.

An assembly of an outer ring and a knuckle comprises an outer ring used in a wheel bearing and a knuckle for connecting the outer ring to a suspension system. The outer ring comprises a body having a hollow formed in an axial direction of a rotation axis, a mounting portion extending in an outer radial direction and a circumferential direction of the body and having a plurality of first mounting holes formed thereon, and at least one mating protrusion formed on an outer circumferential surface of the body. The knuckle comprises a step portion configured to mate with the mating protrusion in an axial direction of the body. A plurality of second mounting holes corresponding to the plurality of first mounting holes are formed on the knuckle. The mating protrusion has one of a plurality of mating shapes having different shapes.

A method of producing a wheel bearing apparatus includes: performing positioning of a slinger of a sealing device with respect to a base shaft portion of a hub spindle by pressing a jig to press-fit the slinger to the base shaft portion, using an inner ring contacted surface, which is a step portion between a small-diameter shaft portion and a large-diameter shaft portion of the hub spindle, as a reference surface; and fitting, after the slinger is press-fitted to the base shaft portion, an inner ring to the small-diameter shaft portion such that the inner ring reaches a position at which the inner ring comes into contact with the inner ring contacted surface, in a state where an outer ring, rolling elements, and the sealing device have been assembled to the hub spindle.

An axle device for a motor vehicle includes an axle shaft, a wheel receiving unit fixed on an end of the axle shaft, and a support body on which the wheel receiving unit is supported from rotation fixed about an axis of rotation. A bearing unit is arranged between the support body and the wheel receiving unit. The bearing unit includes an inner bearing shell at least partially formed by a surface portion of the wheel receiving unit, an outer bearing shell at least partially formed by a sleeve body abutting the support body, and a bearing assembly arranged between the inner bearing shell and the outer bearing shell.