Driveline System

Driveline System
The driveline consists of the following:
^ Front driveshaft
^ Constant velocity (CV) joints
^ Front drive axle
^ Front axle halfshafts
^ Rear driveshafts
^ U-joints and flanges
^ Center support bearings
^ Rear drive axle
^ Rear axle halfshafts

The source of the drivetrain's power is generated by the engine and delivered to the transmission. The driveline transfers the engine torque through the driveshaft to the axle and halfshafts. On rear wheel drive (RWD) vehicles, power is transmitted through the transmission to the driveshaft, rear axle and halfshafts. On four wheel drive (4WD) vehicles, power is transmitted through the transmission and the transfer case. The transfer case directs the power to the rear driveshaft and then to the rear axle. When engaged, it also transmits power through the front driveshaft to the front axle and halfshafts. The axles are mounted to the vehicle in rubber isolators and the necessary changes in driveshaft length are provided in the CV joints or driveshaft slip joints. 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 splined front or rear axle halfshafts or halfshafts and allow the halfshafts to turn at varying speeds as when cornering. These halfshafts rotate the drive wheels.

Vehicle Certification (VC) Label Example:

The vehicle certification (VC) label is located in the driver door jamb. The first 2 digits of the axle code indicate the rear axle and the third digit refers to the front axle, if so equipped.

Front Axle Identification Tag:

A manufacturing date code and a complete part number are stamped on the left carrier arm between the fill plug and axle end. A metal axle identification tag is attached to the differential by a housing cover bolt.

Rear Axle Identification Tag Denoting Interchangeability Affected Internally (Part 1):

Rear Axle Identification Tag Denoting Interchangeability Affected Internally (Part 2):

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 plant code denotes 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 component interchangeability, a dash and numerical suffix is added to the plant code.

Note that the plant code in the front and rear axle identification tag illustrations is similar, but the illustration denoting interchangeability affected internally shows the addition of the suffix. This means that as an assembly, both axles are interchangeable; however, internally they are different. Each axle requires different internal components at the time of repair.