Vehicle wheel end having integrated knuckle and outer race

摘要

The present invention involves a bearing assembly of a wheel end for a motor vehicle. The bearing assembly includes a steering knuckle which includes an integrated outer race with inboard and outboard raceways formed thereon. The steering knuckle includes a body having an inner wall formed therethrough to define a center bore of the body. The inner wall includes an inboard outer raceway and an outboard outer raceway formed thereon, thereby eliminating the use of a separate outer race. In one embodiment, the bearing assembly includes a hub including a flange and a hub shaft having inboard and outboard ends. The flange extends from the hub shaft at the outboard end. The hub shaft is disposed in the center bore of the knuckle at the inboard end. The hub shaft has a first raceway formed thereon adjacent the outboard end of the hub shaft. The first raceway is configured to cooperate with the outboard outer raceway of the steering knuckle to house bearings. The hub shaft of the hub includes a stepped boss formed thereon adjacent the inboard side of the hub shaft. The bearing assembly further includes an inner race disposed in the stepped boss and having a second raceway formed thereon adjacent the inboard end of the hub shaft. The second raceway is configured to cooperate with the inboard outer raceway of the steering knuckle to house bearings.