Differential drive with integrated constant velocity joints

A method of assembling a differential drive having a drive housing (1) with a longitudinal drive axis AG;

• having a drivable differential carrier (11) which is rotatably supported in the drive housing (1) by means of two rolling contact bearings (22, 23), which comprises a longitudinal carrier axis AK [and in which there are arranged and rotatably supported two axle shaft gears whose axes extend co-axially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis and in which differential carrier (11) there is arranged a plurality of differential gears whose axes are arranged radially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis, said differential gears being held so as to rotate with said differential carrier, wherein said axle shaft gears engage the differential gears;
• and having constant velocity joints which are positioned inside the differential carrier (11) and whose outer joint parts are connected in a rotationally fast way to the axle shaft gears], wherein, at the differential carrier (11), there are formed projections (20, 21) which extend co-axially relative to the longitudinal carrier axis and into which there are inserted outer bearing races (26, 27) of the rolling contact bearings (22, 23);
• in the drive housing (1), there is provided a side opening (3) which can be closed by a side cover and through which the differential carrier (11) with inserted outer bearing races (26, 27) of the rolling contact bearings (22, 23) can be inserted;
• in the drive housing (1), there are provided bores (4, 5) which extend co-axially relative to the longitudinal drive axis and into which there are inserted bearing holding rings (6, 7) which carry inner bearing races (28, 29) of the rolling contact bearings (22, 23) and which, together therewith, can be inserted into the bores (4, 5) co-axially relative to the longitudinal drive axis AG,
• characterised by the following stages:
• the outer bearing races (26, 27) of the rolling contact bearings (22, 43) are inserted into the projections (20, 21) in the differential carrier (11);
• the inner bearings rings (28, 29) including the rolling contact members (32, 33) mounted thereon are placed on to the bearing holding rings (6, 7);
• the differential carrier (11) with the outer bearing races (26, 27) is inserted through the side opening (3) into the drive housing (1);
• and
• the bearing holding rings (6, 7) with the inner bearing races (28, 29) and the rolling contact members (32, 33) are axially inserted through the bores (4, 5) in the drive housing (1), with the rolling contact bearings (22, 23) thus being completed.