| 摘要 |
<p>An improved method and structure for setting pinion bearing preload and fastener clamp load in a vehicle differential is provided. The apparatus and method provide a preload spacer (20) readily accessible outboard of the pinion bearings and input yoke (70). Pinion bearing preload is set according to the present invention by the force of the pinion gear on the inner cone (44) of an inner bearing (40) and the force of an input yoke (70) on the outer cone (54) of an outer bearing (50). As a nut (80) is torqued into contact with the input yoke (70), a preload spacer (20) limits the movement of the nut (80) as the input yoke (70) engages the outer cone (54). This provides for consistent preload on the bearings and allows for increased clamp load for retaining the nut.
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