Wheel Drive Shafts Description and Operation M15, M76
Front wheel drive axles are flexible assemblies.
Front wheel drive axles consist of the following components:
| • | A front wheel drive shaft inner tri-pot joint. |
| • | A front wheel drive shaft outer constant velocity joint. |
| • | A front wheel drive shaft bar. |
| | The front wheel drive shaft bar connects the front wheel drive shaft
tri-pot joint and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint. |
The front wheel drive shaft tri-pot joint is completely flexible axially
and laterally.
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint is flexible axially.
Seals And Clamps
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint and the front wheel
drive shaft tri-pot joint seals in the front wheel drive axle are made
of a thermoplastic material.
The clamps on front wheel drive axle seals are made of stainless steel.
The seals provide the following functions:
| • | Protection of the internal parts of the front wheel drive shaft
constant velocity joint and the front wheel drive shaft tri-pot joint. |
| | 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 front wheel drive
shaft tri-pot joint. |
| • | Allows angular movement of the front 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 front wheel drive shaft tri-pot joint
and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint. Damage will also
allow grease to leak out of the front wheel drive shaft tri-pot joints
and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joints.
Leakage may cause noisy front wheel drive axle operation and eventual
failure of the internal components.
The clamps provide a leak proof connection for the front wheel drive
shaft tri-pot joint and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint
at the following locations:
| • | The front 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 tools or sharp edges of the
surrounding vehicle components. |
Front Wheel Drive Shaft Tri-pot Joint
The front wheel drive shaft tri-pot joint is made without an over-extension
limitation retainer.
The joint is constructed as follows:
| • | The left front wheel drive axle has a female spline. The female
spline installs over a stub shaft that protrudes from the transaxle. |
| • | The right front wheel drive axle has a male spline. The right
front wheel drive axle uses a barrel-type retaining ring in order to interlock
with the transaxle gears. |
Front Wheel Drive Shaft Constant Velocity Joint
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint is of the Rzeppa
joint design.
The shaft end, which mates with the knuckle/hub, has a helical spline.
The helical spline ensures a tight, press-type fit.
This design prevents end play between the hub bearing and the front
wheel drive axle.
