Lubricated spindle and nut system with improved nut retention

A lubricated spindle and nut system with improved means of retaining the nut on the spindle, the spindle having an outer end and an area of external threads of selected diameter adjacent the outer end adaptable to receive the nut thereon, an internal lubrication passageway communicates with the spindle outer end, the passageway being adaptable to communicate with grease receiving means, the nut having openings or slots therein, the system comprising:

• radial recesses formed in said spindle adjacent to and spaced from said end, the radial recesses being on opposed sides of the spindle within said area of external threads and wherein said spindle has a coaxial recess therein communicating with said spindle end, the internal diameter of said coaxial recess being less than the external diameter of said spindle providing an integral tubular portion of said spindle, said internal lubrication passageway concentrically communicating with said coaxial recess and wherein said grease receiving means is in the form of a grease zert received in said coaxial recess, said coaxial recess being of a depth such that said grease zert is fully positioned inwardly from said shaft end and inwardly of said radial recesses and wherein said radial recesses communicate with said coaxial recess;
• and
• a retainer of flexible metal, the retainer being of generally C-shaped configuration having opposed ends, with portions adjacent the ends that extend towards each other, the normal spacing between said ends being less than said spindle selected diameter, the retainer being deformable from a normal to a deformed condition to permit, when in the deformed condition, said portions adjacent the ends to extend through said opposed openings or slots in said nut and into said spindle radial recesses whereby said retainer, when in said normal condition, prevents rotation of said nut relative to said spindle.