Transmission and Drivetrain: Application and ID

Driveline System
On front wheel drive (FWD) vehicles, the transaxle transmits power from the engine to the halfshafts.

On all wheel drive (AWD) vehicles, power is transmitted from the engine through the transaxle to the power transfer unit (PTU). The PTU transfers engine power from the transaxle to the front halfshaft, and through the driveshaft to the active torque coupling/rear axle and halfshafts.

The driveline system consists of the following components:
^ Center support bearing
^ Driveshaft assembly
^ Front halfshafts
^ Rear halfshafts
^ Active torque coupling/rear axle

The engine angle is built into the engine mounts. If the engine angle is out of specification, the engine mounts must be inspected for damage.

Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Example:

The vehicle certification (VC) label is located in the driver door jamb. The axle code is on the VC label. Refer to Vehicle/Application and ID.

The axle ratio is 2.93 and the ring gear has a diameter of 160 mm (6.29 in).

The wheel speed sensor rings for FWD vehicles are located on the front halfshafts and are mounted to the rear inner spindles.

The wheel speed sensor rings are located on the front and rear halfshafts for AWD vehicles.

Driveshaft

CAUTION: All driveshaft assemblies are balanced. If undercoating the vehicle, protect the driveshaft to prevent overspray of any undercoating material.

CAUTION: Manual and automatic transmission, as well as 2.3L and 3.0L engine, driveshafts are different. Make sure that the driveshaft being installed is compatible with the vehicle or damage to the vehicle may occur.

The driveshaft has traditional balance weights attached (spot-welded) by the manufacturer.

Universal Joints
The staked-in type U-joints are installed with the driveshaft as an assembly. The snap ring universal type joints are serviced individually.

The center and rear universal joints are:
^ a lubed-for-life design that requires no periodic lubrication.
^ equipped with nylon thrust washers located at the base of each bearing cup which control end play, position the needle bearings and improve grease movement.

Rear Drive Unit (RDU)
The active torque coupling/rear drive unit (RDU) is serviced as an assembly.

The RDU housing cover uses a silicone sealant rather than a gasket.

Each halfshaft is held in the RDU case by a driveshaft bearing retainer circlip that is located on the inner constant velocity (CV) joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing. When each halfshaft is installed, the driveshaft bearing retainer circlip engages a slot in the RDU side gear.

The RDU operates as follows:
^ The RDU pinion receives power from the engine through the transaxle, transfer case, driveshaft and active torque coupling, and is always engaged.
^ The pinion gear rotates the ring gear, which is bolted to the differential case outer flange.
^ Inside the differential case, 2 differential pinion gears are mounted on a differential pinion shaft that is pinned to the differential case.
^ These differential pinion gears are engaged with the differential side gears, to which the halfshafts are splined.
^ As the differential case turns, it rotates the halfshafts and rear wheels.
^ When it is necessary for one wheel and halfshaft to rotate faster than the other, the faster turning differential side gear causes the differential pinion gears to roll on the slower turning differential side gear. This allows differential action between the 2 halfshafts.

Front Drive Halfshafts
The front drive halfshafts consist of the following components:
^ Inner CV joints
^ Outer CV joints
^ Intermediate shaft/bearing
^ Halfshafts

The intermediate shaft bearing is pressed on and is only serviced as an assembly with the intermediate shaft.

Halfshaft Joint
The front drive halfshaft joints consist of the following components:
^ Inner CV joints
^ Outer CV joints
^ CV joint boot clamps
^ CV joint boots
^ Tripod joint housings
^ Retainer circlips

Rear Drive Halfshafts

CAUTION: An inspection of the outer and inner constant velocity (CV) joint boots is necessary so that if damage or grease leakage is evident, installation of a new halfshaft can take place immediately. Continued operation with damage or grease leakage will result in CV joint wear and noise due to contamination and loss of the CV joint grease.

^ The inner and outer CV joints connect to a splined shaft. A circlip holds the cross groove inner race assembly (inner CV joint) together.
^ The RH and LH halfshafts are not the same length.
^ An axle circlip retains the splined inner CV joint to the differential side gear. Install a new axle circlip each time the halfshaft is removed from the vehicle.
^ A rear axle wheel hub nut secures the side shaft assembly (interconnecting shaft and outer CV joint) to the rear wheel hub. Install a new rear axle wheel hub nut each time the halfshaft is removed from the vehicle.

Halfshaft Handling

CAUTION: Excessive pulling force on the interconnecting shaft between the joints of the halfshaft will result in internal joint damage and separation. Axial loads used in assisting removal should be applied through the inboard joint housing only.

CAUTION: Handle the halfshaft only by the interconnecting shaft to avoid pull-apart and potential damage to the constant velocity (CV) joints. Do not over-angle the CV joints.

CAUTION: Damage will occur to an assembled inner constant velocity (CV) joint if it is over-plunged outward from the joint housing.

CAUTION: Never use a hammer to remove or install the halfshafts or component damage may occur.

NOTE: Never use the halfshaft assembly as a lever to position other components. Always support the free-end of the halfshaft.

NOTE: Do not allow the boots to contact sharp edges or hot exhaust components.

Handle all halfshaft components carefully during removal and installation procedures.