Patent ReferencesDifferential axle assembly with adjustable gear offset Patent #: 6364803 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 947047 filed on 09/05/2001US Classes:475/246, With roller bearing between gear and its support74/396Relative movable axesExaminersPrimary: Wright, DirkAttorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassF16H 048/06AbstractA drive axle assembly is provided that includes an axle housing having a cavity. A differential case is disposed within the cavity. The ring gear is supported on the differential case such as by fastening the ring gear to a flange extending from the differential case. A pinion cage eccentrically supports the driveshaft and pinion, which are rotatable about a first axis. The pinion cage may be used for different axle assemblies having different gear ratios. Moreover, the same differential case may be used for the different axle assemblies. The pinion cage is rotatable relative to the carrier housing between first and second positions in which the first axis is spaced from the ring gear first and second distances, respectively. In this manner, the pinion offset and gear mounting distance may be varied. The pinion cage is secured to the housing, preferably by fasteners, in one of the positions to accommodate a particular gearset. | |