Axle Shaft Assembly: Description and Operation
DESCRIPTIONThe axle consists of a cast iron center casting differential housing with axle shaft tubes extending from each side. The tubes are pressed into the differential housing and welded. The design has the centerline of the pinion set above the centerline of the ring gear. The axle has full-floating axle shafts, meaning the shaft are supported by the hub bearings. The axle has a vent used to relieve internal pressure caused by lubricant vaporization and internal expansion.
OPERATION
The axle receives power from the front propeller shaft. The propeller shaft is connected to the pinion gear which rotates the differential through the gear mesh with the ring gear bolted to the differential case. The engine power is transmitted to the axle shafts through the pinion mate and side gears. The side gears are splined to the axle shafts.