Axle housing extension member and method for adjusting track width of a truck axle
AssigneeVolvo Truck Corporation
InventorChad Burchett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An axle extension member configured for attachment to an axle flange of a truck may be used to modify the truck from a standard track configuration to a wider track configuration to accommodate super single wheels. Methods for adjusting track width of a truck axle are also provided. The axle extension member includes an annular spacer portion and a spindle portion configured to receive an extended length axle shaft therethrough. The annular spacer portion is configured to abut and attach to an outboard face of the axle flange. At least one attachment feature is configured for attaching a disc brake assembly to the axle extension member.
Claims18
An axle extension member configured for attachment to an axle flange of a truck to modify the axle from a standard track configuration to a wider track configuration, the axle extension member comprising:
- an annular spacer portion comprising an end face defining an inboard end of the axle extension member, wherein the end face is configured to abut an outboard face of the axle flange;
- and
- a spindle portion extending from the annular spacer portion and defining an outboard end of the axle extension member opposite the annular spacer portion, wherein the spindle portion comprises wheel bearing support surfaces configured to receive wheel bearings of a hub;
- wherein the annular spacer portion defines a first internal bore, the spindle portion defines a second internal bore aligned with the first internal bore along a central axis, and the first and second internal bores are configured to receive an extended length axle shaft.
A method for adjusting track width of a truck axle, the method comprising:
- cutting off at least a portion of a pre-existing spindle associated with a truck axle housing at a point between an axle flange and an outboard end of the pre-existing spindle to define a retained spindle segment;
- aligning an axle extension member with the retained spindle segment, wherein the axle extension member comprises an annular spacer portion comprising an end face defining an inboard end of the axle extension member, a spindle portion extending from the annular spacer portion and defining an outboard end of the axle extension member, a first internal bore defined in the annular spacer portion, and a second internal bore defined in the spindle portion and being aligned with the first internal bore along a central axis;
- receiving the retained spindle segment within the first internal bore;
- and
- affixing the annular spacer portion to the axle flange.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.