An axle assembly, including: an axle sleeve having first end face; a second end face axially spaced from said first end face and an axially extending opening therethrough;a control shaft assembly including: a control shaft and an engagement element having an engagement surface. The engagement element is axially retained to the control shaft. The control shaft assembly extends within the opening to be axially overlapping the axle sleeve. The engagement element has a restraining engagement with the axle sleeve at an engagement interface between the engagement surface and opening; the restraining engagement providing a restraining resistance to restrain axial displacement between the control shaft and axle sleeve. The engagement element fully circumscribes the control shaft about the axial axis and is radially self-supporting.