An axle end plug employs a magnet which attracts ferrous metallic debris from a cavity in a trailer axle wheel end. The axle end plug includes a vent hole which is substantially aligned with an aperture in the magnet. The vent hole vents the cavity in the trailer axle wheel end to the interior of the axle, rather than to the atmosphere. The arrangement prevents external contaminants such as dirt and water from entering the cavity. The magnet attracts ferrous debris which accumulates in the cavity from component wear or from manufacturing debris which remains in the axle interior. The magnet attracts and removes these particles from the trailer axle wheel end, minimizing the wearing of components.

An expansion plug filter assembly adapted to be mounted in an axle spindle for communicating filtered air from an axle to a rotary union assembly in a tire inflation system. The assembly includes a head portion, a body portion, an internal air flow channel extending longitudinally through the head and body portions. A press plate cavity is provided in the head portion of the assembly. A filter unit is carried by the body portion and a press plate is disposed within the press plate cavity. An o-ring mounted in a groove about the head portion provides an airtight seal between the head portion and the interior of the axle spindle. Tightening a plurality of securement bolts embedded in the head portion draws the press plate into the press plate cavity and causes a downstream portion of the head portion of the assembly to expand against the spindle to releasably secure the assembly within the spindle such that air passing therethrough is first caused to flow through the filter unit.

A filter is disposed in the interior cavity of each of the axle spindle sections of a non-drive axle for a heavy duty tractor-trailer, which utilizes internally vented wheel end assemblies. Each filter provides for sufficient air flow from the wheel end assembly cavity into the axle cavity to enable internal venting of any expanding gas from the wheel end assembly cavity into the axle cavity, thereby preventing excessive pressure build-up in the wheel end assembly and possible reduction of the life expectancy of the wheel end assembly main seal. Depending on the filter embodiment employed, the filter prevents or at least lessens the likelihood of migration of contaminates such as oxide scale from the axle cavity into the wheel end assembly cavity, thereby preventing or lessening the likelihood that such contaminates will cause premature wear of the wheel end assembly bearings or main seal.

The invention concerns a method for mounting a wheel on an axle housing in the form of an axle tube for vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles. The wheel is fixed with, for example, wheel bolts to a wheel hub, pivoting on the axle stub of the axle tube, and the axle stub is clamped on to an end section of the axle tube as a separate component. For simplicity of manufacture and assembly combined with functional durability, it is proposed that the end section of the axle tube is cylindrical on the inside and has at least one longitudinal slit, that the axle stub fits into the end section of the axle tube with an externally corresponding cylindrical connecting section, and that the end section of the axle tube is radially clamped on to the connecting section of the axle stub by means of at least one longitudinally continuously split clamping ring positioned on the end section of the axle tube.

An assembly to be mounted in an axle spindle for communicating pressurized air to a rotary union in a tire inflation system. The assembly includes an arbor having an air flow channel extending therethrough, a flange intermediary of the arbor ends and an axially inclined portion proximate the flange. A sealing member is carried by the flange for forming a seal with the axle spindle. A split ring locking assembly is disposed about the inclined portion of the arbor that is comprised of a plurality of segments held by an expansible retention spring. The segments move radially outwardly upon the locking assembly being moved along the inclined arbor portion and engage the axle spindle, securing the plug assembly within the spindle. A fastening member threadably engages the arbor for urging the locking assembly along the inclined arbor portion to effect securement of the plug assembly within the axle spindle.