Wheel Drive Shafts Description and Operation (Rear)

Wheel Drive Shafts Description and Operation (Rear)
The rear wheel drive axles are flexible assemblies.

The rear wheel drive axles consist of the following components:
^ 2 wheel drive inner and outer shaft tripod joints.
^ A wheel drive shaft bar. The wheel drive shaft bar connects the wheel drive shaft tripod joints.

The wheel drive shaft tripod joints are completely flexible. Both wheel drive shaft tripod joints can move in and out.

Seals And Clamps
The rear wheel drive shaft tripod joint seals on the wheel drive axle are made of a thermoplastic material.

The clamps on the rear wheel drive axle seals are made of stainless steel.

The seals provide the following functions:
^ Protection of the internal parts of the wheel drive shaft tripod joints. The seals protect the grease from the following sources of damage:
^ Harmful atmospheric conditions, such as extreme temperatures or ozone gas.
^ Foreign material, such as dirt or water.
^ Allows the angular and the axial movement of the rear wheel drive shaft tripod joints.

Important: Protect the seals from sharp tools and from the sharp edges of the surrounding components.

Any damage to the seals or the clamps will result in leakage. Leakage will allow water to leak into the rear wheel drive shaft tripod joints. Damage will also allow grease to leak out of the wheel drive shaft tripod joints.

Leakage and the loss to grease may cause noisy wheel drive shaft tripod operation and eventual failure of the internal components.

The clamps provide a leak proof connection for the wheel drive shaft tripod joints at the following locations:
^ The tripod housing.
^ The wheel drive shaft bar.

The thermoplastic material performs well under normal conditions and normal operation. However, the material is not strong enough to withstand the following conditions:
^ Abusive handling.
^ Damage from sharp objects, such as tools or sharp edges of the surrounding vehicle components.

Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Tripod Joints
The rear wheel drive shaft tripod joints are made without an over-extension limitation retainer. Care must be exercised when removing and installing the rear wheel drive shafts in order not to over-extend the tripod joints. Damage and tripod failure may result.

The joint is constructed as follows:
^ The wheel drive axle has a female spline. The female spline installs over an axle shaft that protrudes from the rear differential.
^ The wheel drive axle utilizes a barrel-type retaining ring in order to positively secure the inner tripod joint to the rear differential axle shaft.