Abstract

Differential mounting for railroad wheels includes an axle with a wheel fitted on one end to rotate with the axle and a second wheel carried adjacent the opposite end of the axle and mounted to rotate relative to the axle. The axle has a raised wheel seat with an axial length approximately the same as the hub of the second wheel which is generally rectangular in cross-section. Fillets define the inboard and outboard ends of the raised wheel seat and a steel sleeve is fitted over the raised wheel seat and includes an annular flange portion shaped to engage the outboard axle fillet. A collar carried within the sleeve engages the inboard fillet. Pressure plates are disposed on the inboard and outboard ends of the sleeve and include opposed stainless steel thrust bearing surfaces contiguous to the annular side faces of the wheel hub which are surfaced with a TEFLON composite, bearing material bonded thereto. The sleeve has a stainless steel outer bearing surface portion for rotating contact with the bore of the wheel hub which is fitted with a TEFLON liner.