The wheel drive shafts are flexible assemblies.
The wheel drive shafts consist of the following components:
| • | The wheel drive shaft tripot joint (inner joint) |
| • | The wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint (outer joint) |
| • | The wheel drive shaft bar |
| | The wheel drive shaft bar connects the wheel drive shaft tripot joint
and the wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint. |
The wheel drive shaft tripot joint is completely flexible. The wheel
drive shaft tripot joint can move in and out.
The wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint is flexible, but the wheel
drive shaft constant velocity joint cannot move in and out.
Seals And Clamps
The wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint and the wheel drive shaft
tripot joint seals in the wheel drive axle are made of a thermoplastic
material.
The clamps in wheel drive shaft are made of stainless steel.
The seal provides the following functions:
| • | Protection of the internal parts of the wheel drive shaft constant
velocity joint and the wheel drive shaft tripot joint. |
| | The seal protects 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 angular movement and the axial movement of the wheel drive
shaft tripot joint. |
| • | Allows angular movement of the wheel drive shaft constant velocity
joint. |
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 wheel drive shaft tripot joint and the
wheel drive shaft constant velocity joints. Leakage will also allow grease
to leak out of the wheel drive shaft tripot joints and the wheel drive shaft
constant velocity joints.
Leakage may cause noisy wheel drive axle operation and eventual failure
of the internal components.
The clamps provide a leak proof connection for the wheel drive shaft
tripot joint and the wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint at the following
locations:
| • | 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:
| • | Damage from sharp objects (such as sharp tools or any sharp edges
of the surrounding components in the vehicle). |
Wheel Drive Shaft Tri-pot Joint (Inner Joint)
The wheel drive shaft inner joint is a tripot design without an over-extension
limitation retainer.
The joint is constructed as follows for vehicles that are equipped with
an automatic transmission:
| • | The left wheel drive axle has a female spline. The female spline
installs over a stub shaft that protrudes from the transaxle. |
| • | The right wheel drive axle has a male spline. The right wheel
drive axle uses barrel type snap rings in order to interlock with the transaxle
gears. |
Wheel Drive Shaft Constant Velocity Joint (Outer Joint)
The wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint is made with the Rzeppa
joint design.
The spindle end (which mates with the wheel hub and bearing assembly)
has a helical spline. The helical spline ensures a tight, press-type fit.
This design prevents end play between the wheel hub and bearing and
the front wheel drive axle.
