Axle Shaft: Description and Operation

The front wheel driveshaft and joints mechanically link engine torque from the transaxle to the front wheels. At the transaxle end, the front wheel driveshaft joint is splined to the differential side gears. Disengagement of the tripot type front wheel driveshaft joint from the differential side gear is prevented by an expanding spring steel driveshaft bearing retainer circlip.

The wheel ends of the righthand and lefthand front driveshaft and joints are splined to the wheel hubs which are supported on opposed tapered front wheel bearing inner and outer cone and rollers. Disengagement of the driveshaft and joint from the wheel hub is prevented by the front axle wheel hub washer and retainer.

Backlash between the wheel hubs and driveshaft joint is eliminated by the splines. The front wheel hub splines are machined straight while the driveshaft joint splines are machined with a slight helical cut. The difference in splines provides a tight, backlash-free coupling without the replacement problems associated with an interference fit.

All outboard joints are the Birfield type. Models equipped with automatic transaxles are equipped with tripot inboard joints, while double offset (Rzeppa) type joints are found on those with manual transaxles. A front axle bearing is installed between the righthand driveshaft and the halfshaft to help prevent engine vibration to the body and reduce torque steer.

The tripot and double offset joints can be disassembled and serviced. Other than the driveshaft boot, the outboard Birfield type shaft and joint is serviced only as an assembly with the shaft and joint.