Front Drive Axle Description and Operation W/O E-Lock
The Front Drive Axle consist of the following components:
• | Differential Carrier Housing |
• | Intermediate Shaft Housing |
• | Electric Motor Actuator |
• | Shift Fork /Clutch Assembly |
The front axle on four wheel drive model vehicles has a central disconnect
feature. The axle uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set in order to transmit
the driving force of the engine to the wheels. The open differential allows the wheels
to turn at different rates of speed while the axle continues to transmit the driving
force. This prevents tire scuffing when going around corners and premature wear on
internal axle parts. The ring and pinion set and the differential are contained within
the carrier. The axle identification number on top of the differential carrier assembly
or on a label on the right half of differential carrier assembly. The drive axles
are completely flexible assemblies consisting of inner and outer constant velocity
CV joints protected by thermoplastic boots and connected by a wheel drive shaft.