Method of making a wheel end assembly with a machined rotor having reduced on-vehicle runout

A method of making a wheel end to be installed on a vehicle for reduced lateral runout, the method comprising:

• assembling a rotor, a hub, and components with bearing surfaces to define an assembled module configured to be mounted to the vehicle;
• preloading the components with bearing surfaces of the assembled module to be mounted to the vehicle by applying a set amount of radial load and thrust load on the bearing surfaces to define a preloaded condition of the assembled module;
• mounting the assembled module on a fixture;
• rotating the assembled module on the fixture;
• machining a final cut on the rotor to a rotor width, while rotating the assembled module, after assembling and preloading the assembled module, to define the wheel end;
• and
• maintaining the wheel end in the preloaded condition before installing the wheel end on the vehicle.

A method of making a wheel end to be installed on a vehicle for reduced lateral runout, the method comprising:

• assembling a hub and components with bearing surfaces to define an assembled module configured to be mounted to the vehicle;
• preloading the components with bearing surfaces of the assembled module to define a preloaded condition of the assembled module;
• mounting the assembled module on a holding fixture;
• rotating the assembled module on the holding fixture;
• machining a final hub cut on the hub to a hub width, while rotating;
• affixing the rotor to the hub of the assembled module on the holding fixture;
• rotating the assembled wheel end on the holding fixture;
• machining a final rotor cut on the rotor to a rotor width, while rotating;
• and
• maintaining the wheel end in the preloaded condition before installing the wheel end on the vehicle.