Cartridge axle pinion bearing assembly

A cartridge bearing assembly of a gear reduction system providing rotating shaft support between a pinion shaft and a pinion housing comprising:

• a pair of anti-friction bearings each having an outer race and an inner circumferentially spaced apart rolling elements which roll along said raceways;
• retention means for maintaining said inner races together;
• spacer means provided between said inner races for spacing said inner races apart, said spacer means including a spacer formed from a separate circumferential body, said spacer further acting as said retention means;
• at least one race seal formed between said inner races and adjoining said spacer means to circumferentially seal said inner races and retain lubricating oil in said bearing assembly;
• and
• a pair of end seals each carried at outboard ends of said inner and outer raceways between said inner and outer races forming barriers at opposing ends of said bearing assembly to retain lubricating oil within said bearing assembly and seal out lubricant present within said gear reduction system.

A cartridge bearing assembly of a gear reduction system providing rotating shaft support between a pinion shaft and a pinion housing comprising:

• a pair of anti-friction bearings, each having an outer race and an inner race respectively defining outer and inner raceways, and also having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart rolling elements which roll along said raceways;
• spacer means provided between said inner races for spacing said inner races apart, said spacer means including a spacer formed from a separate circumferential body;
• retention means for maintaining said inner races together, said retention means further comprised of a cylindrical body separate from said spacer means, said cylindrical body disposed radially outside said spacer;
• at least one race seal formed between said inner races and adjoining said spacer means to circumferentially seal said inner races and retain lubricating oil in said bearing assembly;
• and
• a pair of end seals each carried at outboard ends of said inner and outer raceways between said inner and outer races forming barriers at opposing ends of said bearing assembly to retain lubricating oil within said bearing assembly and seal out lubricant present within said gear reduction system.

A cartridge bearing assembly of a gear reduction system providing rotating shaft support between a pinion shaft and a pinion housing comprising:

• a pair of anti-friction bearings each having an outer race and an inner race respectively defining outer and inner raceways, and also having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart rolling elements which roll along said raceways;
• spacer means provided between said inner races for spacing said inner races apart, said spacer means including a spacer formed from a separate circumferential body;
• retention means for maintaining said inner races together, said retention means further comprised of a cylindrical body separate from said spacer means, said retention means further composed of a cylindrical body separate from said spacer means, said cylindrical body disposed radially inside said spacer;
• at least one race seal formed between said inner races and adjoining said spacer means to circumferentially seal said inner races and retain lubricating oil in said bearing assembly;
• and
• a pair of end seals each carried at outboard ends of said inner and outer raceways between said inner and outer races forming barriers at opposing ends of said bearing assembly to retain lubricating oil within said bearing assembly and seal out lubricant present within said gear reduction system.

A cartridge bearing assembly of a gear reduction system providing rotating shaft support between a pinion shaft and a pinion housing comprising:

• a pair of anti-friction bearings each having an outer race and an inner race respectively defining outer and inner raceways, and also having a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart rolling elements which roll along said raceways;
• spacer means provided between said inner races for spacing said inner races apart, said spacer means including a spacer formed from a separate circumferential body;
• retention means for maintaining said inner races together, said retention means further comprised of a cylindrical body separate from said spacer means, said cylindrical body including clip means for snap engagement with at least one of said inner races;
• at least one race seal formed between said inner races and adjoining said spacer means to circumferentially seal said inner races and retain lubricating oil in said bearing assembly;
• and
• a pair of end seals each carried at outboard ends of said inner and outer raceways between said inner and outer races forming barriers at opposing ends of said bearing assembly to retain lubricating oil within said bearing assembly and seal out lubricant present within said clear reduction system.