Front wheel drive axles are flexible assemblies.
Front wheel drive axles consist of the following components:
| • | A front wheel drive shaft tri-pot joint (inner joint) |
| • | A front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint (outer joint) |
| • | A front wheel drive shaft |
| | The front wheel drive shaft 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. The front
wheel drive shaft tri-pot joint can move in and out.
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint is flexible, but the front
wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint cannot move in and out.
Boots (Seals) And Clamps
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint and the front wheel drive
shaft tri-pot joint boots (seals) in the front wheel drive axle are made of a thermoplastic
material.
The clamps in front wheel drive axle are made of stainless steel.
The boot (seal) provides 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 boot (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 front wheel drive
shaft tri-pot joint. |
| • | Allows angular movement of the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity
joint. |
Important: Protect the boots (seals) from sharp tools and from the sharp edges of the surrounding
components.
Any damage to the boots (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 joints. Leakage 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 |
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 |
Front Wheel Drive Shaft Tri-pot Joint (Inner Joint)
The front wheel drive shaft tri-pot joint is made with the tri-pot design without
an over-extension limitation retainer.
The joint is constructed as follows for vehicles that are equipped with an automatic
transmission:
| • | 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 barrel type snap rings in order to interlock with the transaxle gears. |
Front Wheel Drive Shaft Constant Velocity Joint (Outer Joint)
The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint is made with 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.
