Integrated hub bearing unit

A hub bearing unit for a wheel of a motor vehicle, the hub bearing unit comprising:

• a hub having a first axial end, a second axial end spaced from the first end in an axial direction, a radially outwardly extending flange at a location between the first axial end and the second axial end, an axial opening extending from the first axial end to the second axial end and a tubular portion extending from the radial flange toward the second axial end, the tubular portion including a proximal cylindrical centering portion at the flange;
• a bearing outer ring surrounding a portion of the hub between the flange and the first axial end of the hub, the bearing outer ring including a first raceway and a second raceway,
• a bearing inner ring mounted on the portion of the hub,
• a first row of rolling elements mounted between the first raceway of the outer ring and a raceway formed on an outer surface of the portion of the hub and a second row of rolling elements mounted between the second raceway of the outer ring and a raceway of the bearing inner ring,
• a splined shaft of a constant velocity joint extending into the axial opening from the first axial end of the hub to a location inside the tubular portion of the hub, the splined shaft having a threaded end portion inside the tubular portion of the hub, and
• a threaded connector threadedly engaged with the threaded end portion of the splined shaft and having a deformable portion configured to be deformed relative to the splined shaft to prevent the threaded connector from being unscrewed from the splined shaft,
• wherein the proximal portion of the tubular portion includes at least one radial through hole radially aligned with the deformable portion of the threaded connector and configured to allow a torque arm of a deformation tool to access the deformable portion, and
• wherein a surface of the through hole closest to the second axial end of the hub is configured to absorb forces applied to the surface of the through hole by the torque arm during a deformation of the deformable portion.