This application claims priority to Canada Patent Application No. 3,012,644 filed on Jul. 27, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a seal for sealing a joint of Dodge 8 & 8¼ front differentials, and more particularly to a sealing boot for sealing a joint between a differential output shaft of Dodge 8 & 8¼ front differentials and a CV axle shaft and a method for installing the same.

BACKGROUND

The four-wheel drive versions of Dodge RAM 1500 and Dodge Dakota models (e.g. vehicles sold under the DODGE® trademark owned by FCA US LLC of Auburn Hills, Mich.) comprise one of a Dodge 8 or 8¼ front differential—both will be referred to as “Dodge front differential” from hereon—connected to respective left-hand side and right-hand side Constant Velocity (CV) axle shafts for driving the front wheels. The CV axle shafts are connected to respective output shafts of the Dodge front differential via spline joints which are each protected from adverse outside conditions using a single O-ring seal.

For model years 2002 until present, owners, dealers, and mechanics of Dodge RAM 1500 and Dodge Dakota models frequently experience issues with respect to the joint between the differential output shaft and the CV axle shaft, in particular when the vehicles are exposed to winter driving conditions.

In winter driving conditions the vehicles are typically exposed to substantial amounts of road salt and road salt water solutions against which the single O-ring seal is not capable of providing sufficient protection, resulting in corrosion and, consequently, failure of the splines. Repair typically requires replacement of the differential output shafts and the CV axle shaft, which is expensive and time consuming.

It may be desirable to provide a seal that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions.

It may also be desirable to provide a sealing boot that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions and that is simple to install.

It may also be desirable to provide a sealing boot that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions and that provides a tight seal without additional fasteners.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, one object is to provide a seal that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions.

Another object is to provide a sealing boot that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions and that is simple to install.

Another object is to provide a sealing boot that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions and that provides a tight seal without additional fasteners.

According to one aspect, there is provided a sealed joint for a Dodge front differential. The sealed joint comprises a differential output shaft having an end portion protruding a housing of the Dodge front differential. The end portion comprises a male spline and a shoulder section disposed between the spline and the housing. A CV axle shaft has an end portion comprising a female spline disposed therein. The female spline is engaged with the male spline of the differential output shaft. A sealing boot has a first inside surface and a second inside surface. The first inside surface and the second inside surface are tightly fitted to the shoulder section of the differential output shaft and an outside surface section of the end portion of the CV axle shaft, respectively. The sealing boot provides a substantially sealed enclosure between the shoulder section of the differential output shaft and the outside surface section of the end portion of the CV axle shaft.

According to one aspect, there is provided a sealing boot for sealing a joint of a Dodge front differential. The sealing boot comprises a first sealing boot section having a first cylindrical inside surface. The first sealing boot section is adapted for being tightly fitted to a shoulder section of an end portion of a differential output shaft protruding a housing of the Dodge front differential. The shoulder section is disposed between a male spline and the housing. A second sealing boot section has a second cylindrical inside surface. The second sealing boot section is adapted for being tightly fitted to an outside surface section of an end portion of a CV axle shaft having a female spline disposed therein. The female spline being adapted for being engaged with the male spline of the differential output shaft. The sealing boot forms a sealed enclosure between the first cylindrical inside surface and the second cylindrical inside surface.

According to one aspect, there is provided a method for sealing a joint of a Dodge front differential. An end portion of a differential output shaft protrudes a housing of the Dodge front differential. The end portion comprises a male spline and a shoulder section disposed between the spline and the housing. A CV axle shaft has an end portion comprising a female spline disposed therein. The female spline is adapted for being engaged with the male spline of the differential output shaft. A sealing boot comprises a first sealing boot section having a first cylindrical inside surface and a second sealing boot section having a second cylindrical inside surface. One of the first cylindrical inside surface and the second cylindrical inside surface is fitted onto the shoulder section of the differential output shaft and an outside surface section of the end portion of the CV axle shaft, respectively. The female spline of the CV axle shaft is engaged with the male spline of the differential output shaft. During engaging of the female spline with the male spline the other of the first cylindrical inside surface and the second cylindrical inside surface is fitted onto the shoulder section of the differential output shaft and an outside surface section of the end portion of the CV axle shaft, respectively.

An advantage of the present system and method is that it provides a seal that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions.

A further advantage is that it provides a sealing boot that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions and that is simple to install.

A further advantage is to provide a sealing boot that is capable of protecting the joint between the differential output shaft of a Dodge front differential and the CV axle shaft in winter driving conditions and that provides a tight seal without additional fasteners.

