摘要 |
A wheel end is provided where the spindle is an integral cast and machined trumpet-shaped arm made from high strength ductile iron, and a seal retainer is provided to locate and protect the inner wheel bearing and wheel end from debris. The trumpet-shaped arm is formed with a long parabolic radius machined with a reasonable surface finish to reduce or significantly eliminate stress concentrations. The mating cast iron seal retainer is employed to provide proper location for the inner wheel bearing and to transfer axial loads of the bearing to the spindle shoulder. In addition, the seal retainer retains the inner half of the seal face and provides a sealing surface to prevent escape of the axle wheel end oil. In this design, the outside diameter of the seal retainer is made to fit inside the wheel hub bore where it is protected from rocks, stumps, other debris, etc. The shape of the back exterior of the retainer is made in such a way that vines, wires, rope, etc that become entangled in the wheel(s) are passed onto the trumpet arm where they will do no damage. |