Bearing system for a wheel

Claim 1

A bearing assembly for a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a hub having a first flange portion for securing at one end either to the wheel or a support member of the vehicle, said first flange portion having a first predetermined diameter, said hub having an axially extending cylindrical portion with an outer peripheral surface of a second predetermined diameter less than the first diameter, forming a substantially radially extending wall adjoining the first flange portion, defining a shoulder portion with said first diameter; a first member having an inner peripheral surface comprising a bearing seat engaging with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion; a second member having a second flange concentrically mounted relative said first member for securing either to the wheel or the support member and not to said first flange; and a separable double row anti-friction bearing, including rolling elements rotatably disposed between a circular outer race formed on an inner peripheral surface of the second member, and circular inner races formed on an opposing outer peripheral surface of the first member; said first member having a radial dimension extending from the bearing seat at least substantially equal to the radial dimension of said wall; wherein at least one of the shoulder portion and the outer peripheral surface of the first member adjacent the shoulder has at least two notches for exposing radially extending surfaces of the hub and first member.