Experimental and Numerical Investigations on Differential Side Bearing Preload Drop on a Rear Axle Assembly

This paper focuses on experimental and numerical investigations on preload drop of rear axles differential side bearings which occur during tube to carrier pressing operation on the assembly line. The phenomena behind preload decrease during tube fitting operation is revealed via CAE iterations and verified with on site measurement data using strain gauged bearings. It is proven that the level of preload drop during tube pressing operation depends on tube to carrier fitting interference.