Differential Assembly: Application and ID

Driveline System

The components that comprise the driveline system are:

- driveshaft tube, slip yoke, U-joints and flange.
- rear axle assembly with flange, pinion, ring gear, differential and axle shafts.

The driveline transfers the engine torque through the driveshaft to the axle. The driveshaft is connected to the output shaft of the transmission and to the rear axle. U-joints are used at both ends of the driveshaft to allow for angular motions. Slip yokes are used to allow for any changes to the length of the driveshaft. The engine torque enters the axle through the drive pinion, which rotates the ring gear. The ring gear is mounted to the differential case, which contains the gears that transmit power to the rear axle shafts.

Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Example





Rear Axle Identification Tag









Axle Identification Tag Denoting Interchangeability Affected Internally









NOTE: The axle identification tag is the official service identifier. Do not damage the tag. Always reinstall the tag after removing it for axle inspection/repair.

The axle identification tag identifies a particular axle design, a specific ratio and if it is a conventional or limited slip (Traction-Lok(R)) type. In addition, the plant code will not change as long as that particular axle assembly never undergoes an external design change. If, however, an internal design change takes place during the production life of the axle and that internal change affects parts interchangeability, a dash and numerical suffix is added to the plant code. This means that as an assembly both axles are interchangeable; however, internally they are different. Therefore, each requires different internal parts at the time of repair.