摘要 |
A wheel drive assembly (10) for a vehicle has a spindle (14) with a bore (24). A shaft (30) is positioned within the bore (24) and defines a cavity (44) between the shaft (30) and spindle (14). A brake (46) is positioned within the cavity (34). A planetary gear assembly (74) is positioned about the shaft (30) and contained within the spindle bore (24). With the brake (36) and planetary gear assembly (40) positioned within the spindle (14), the spindle (14) constitutes a reaction ring gear. Bearings (94,96) riding on the spindle (14) can be spaced apart substantially the entire length of the spindle (14) to reduce disproportionate or excessive loading on the bearings (94,96). Serviceability of the drive assembly (10) is simplified owing to the arrangement of its components and the overall width of the vehicle is not increased while accommodating the widely spaced bearings and spindle support for the planetary gear assembly ( 74).
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